Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC line-ups predicted amid potential Will Pryce decision

Leeds Rhinos host Hull FC on Friday evening at Headingley and just one look at the Super League table is enough to know how key the fixture is. Leeds are currently fourth after their Magic Weekend win over St Helens and they’ll be looking up the table in the hope of being able to chase down the top three.

Hull, at the time of writing, are one point and one place further back in the league ladder and having lost their last three, a win over the Rhinos could be huge for their confidence and self-belief.

It’s a pivotal game then and Brad Arthur has been able to welcome back three key men in the forms of Brodie Croft, Ryan Hall and co-captain Cameron Smith. That comes as a huge boost, while the Black and Whites have seen Brad Fash return to their ranks after injury.

With that in mind, here’s how both sides might line-up.

We’ll start with Leeds and it’s clear that Hall starts if he is deemed fit and able to do so. He’ll be on the wing, with Arthur already hinting that Croft will start alongside Jake Connor in the halves, too.

Croft is Leeds’ star half-back and although he hasn’t been firing on all cylinders this season, he’ll be given the chance to find form, despite Jack Sinfield underlining his potential in the Australian’s absence.

Expect the starting pack to be unchanged with Kallum Watkins at 13 to begin with and Cameron Smith expected to come off the bench.

Brad Arthur spoke to the media ahead of the Rhinos clash with Hull FC at AMT Headingley this Friday.
Arthur talks about the return from injury of Brodie Croft, Ryan Hall and Cameron Smith as well as the Rhinos trip to Las Vegas next year after the announcement earlier this week.

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) May 15, 2025

John Cartwright could have a little more to think about following his side’s subpar showing against Huddersfield Giants last time out. Will Pryce was one of those to struggle at St James’ Park, particularly in defence, with the star signing making some key errors at the back.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him moved back into the line then at six, with Jordan Rapana’s experience and nous potentially valuable at full-back in such a big game. That would put Pryce back into the position he was signed to play and give him more creative responsibility.

That’s a change that would see Cade Cust moved to the bench to take on the role as a replacement hooker, with the Australian’s best work against the Giants coming in defence.

Fash’s availability might see him start in the back-row and if that is the case, Zak Hardaker could be the man to move into his more natural centre position. If that is the case, one of Harvey Barron or Tom Briscoe could miss out on the 17 altogether.

Liam Knight and Sam Eseh are both available despite the cards they received at Magic Weekend.

Predicted Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC sides

Leeds Rhinos: Lachie Miller; Riley Lumb, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall; Brodie Croft, Jake Connor; Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Keenan Palasia; James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon; Kallum Watkins.

Bench: Tom Holroyd, Cameron Smith, Sam Lisone, James Bentley.

Hull FC: Jordan Rapana; Tom Briscoe, Zak Hardaker, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Will Pryce, Aidan Sezer; Herman Ese’ese, Amir Bourouh, Liam Knight; Brad Fash, Ed Chamberlain; John Asiata.

Bench: Yusuf Aydin, Jack Ashworth, Cade Cust, Sam Eseh.