Starting XVII: Is this how Leeds Rhinos will line up in 2021?

Leeds cemented their quality under Richard Agar with a Challenge Cup success in 2020, but faltered towards the end of the year, exiting the play-offs at the first time of asking.

With Luke Gale out with injury for the opening few rounds of the 2021 season, Agar will need to switch things around. New signings Zane Tetevano and King Vuniyayawa will be hoping to be included too.

Fullback – Jack Walker

With Gale’s injury, Richie Myler is likely to move back into the halves with Jack Walker coming back into the fold after injury

Wingers – Tom Briscoe and Ash Handley

With two and five on their backs respectively, Briscoe and Handley will be first-choice wingers with the latter aiming to build on his top try-scoring exploits in 2020.

Centres – Harry Newman and Konrad Hurrell

Harry Newman will be facing a race against time to be fit for the new season after a double leg break last season, but Konrad Hurrell will be aiming to impress with his contract running out at the end of 2021.

Halves – Robert Lui and Richie Myler

Myler was instrumental in the Rhinos’ Challenge Cup winning exploits last season, playing the majority of the year as a deputy fullback. But, with Gale out, the playmaker is likely to return to his natural halfback position for the first few rounds at least. Lui will still be number six.

Props – Mikolaj Oledzki and Matt Prior

Oledzki has been rewarded for his loyalty and determination with the number eight shirt with his partner in the pack likely to be Matt Prior.

Hooker – Kruise Leeming

The interchange between Kruise Leeming and Brad Dwyer in 2020 worked really well after the former suffered a serious injury at the beginning of the season. But, Leeming has still been handed the number nine shirt, pointing to the likelihood of him starting.

Second-rowers – Alex Mellor and Rhyse Martin

Mellor played 13 games for Leeds in 2020, whilst Martin has become an integral figure in the Rhinos squad the past two seasons. It’s a mix of flair and good honest work in the back-row.

Loose-forward – Zane Tetevano

New recruit Tetevano will go straight into the side in the number 13 position following his off-season move. An impactful player with exceptional hands, Tetevano will cause some destruction in 2021.

Subs: Brad Dwyer, Liam Sutcliffe, Bodene Thompson, Cameron Smith