Leeds Rhinos travel to face Wigan Warriors on Friday and the major squad news revolves around the fitness of Jake Connor.
Connor was brought off in the Round 25 win over his former side Huddersfield due a rib issue, something which prevented him from playing against Catalans Dragons – a game that the Rhinos subsequently lost.
Leeds now look destined to finish fourth, having sacrificed the chance to push for a second-place finish and a home semi-final so all eyes were on whether Brad Arthur would risk Jake Connor given not much being at stake.
The Rhinos playmaker had given an update to club media, explaining: “I should be good to go,” in reference to a home play-off match, suggesting he would not be available on Friday night to face Wigan.
That’s now been confirmed with Brad Arthur and Matt Peet confirming their 21-man squads for Friday night’s clash.
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Wigan Warriors team news
Should Hull KR lose on Thursday night, Wigan will have a chance to retain their League Leaders Shield so Matt Peet can’t really afford to rest players and having rotated stars such as Liam Farrell and Harry Smith last week, he goes full strength this week.
Every player from their top 17 is named with the squad then filled out by Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hull, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley and Jack Farrimond, meaning it’s probably the strongest that Wigan could possibly be.
Adam Keighran returns after being rested from the 21-man squad last week, replacing Jacob Douglas.
Wigan Warriors 21-man squad: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley, Jack Farrimond
📋 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀
Matt Peet has named his squad for Friday night’s @SuperLeague clash against Leeds Rhinos!
Full squad news 👉 https://t.co/rYRlTPslTA#WWRL #SLWIGLEE pic.twitter.com/RGPFJBJUP4
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) September 17, 2025
Leeds Rhinos team news
Connor is unsurprisingly omitted from the squad with Jack Sinfield named again and likely to play in the halves with Brodie Croft, however, the bigger news is the omission of Lachie Miller and Ryan Hall.
That pairing, plus Andy Ackers, have all been ruled out due to injury with Tom Nicholson-Watton making his return from injury, alongside Joe Shorrocks and Presley Cassell as the trio to replace them.
Brad Arthur will have to change up his backs with only Harry Newman available from their strongest possible back five as Ash Handley still remains out with a groin injury.
Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad: Harry Newman, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, Keenan Palasia, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Cooper Jenkins, Tom Holroyd, Jack Sinfield, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Riley Lumb, Ben Littlewood, Ned McCormack, Max Simpson, Kallum Watkins, Presley Cassell, Chris Hankinson, Joe Shorrocks
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur has named his 21 man squad to travel to Wigan Warriors this Friday
More here https://t.co/YJhHjm2Jcl pic.twitter.com/P1VgEtu6RH— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) September 17, 2025
