Leeds Rhinos: Pre-season schedule confirmed by the Rhinos

Rhinos will host Wakefield Trinity at Headingley on Boxing Day in the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge, kick-off 11.30am, before making the cross-town trip to the South Leeds Stadium to play Hunslet RLFC on Sunday, January 15, kick off 3pm.

Rhinos return to Headingley Carnegie on Friday, January 20 for Hall’s testimonial game when Tim Sheen’s Hull KR will be keen to put down a marker ahead of their attempt to return to the Betfred Super League next season. The game will kick off at 8pm.

Finally, the whole Rhinos squad will be in action on one weekend at the end of January.

On Friday, January 27, Rhinos will travel to the Big Fellas Stadium to play Featherstone Rovers, kick-off 7.45pm in a repeat of last year’s opening Qualifiers game before heading to the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday, January 29 to play Doncaster, kick-off 3pm.

Head coach Brian McDermott said of the programme: “The four games in the new year will give the coaching staff the opportunity to see all our players in action before the season starts.

“With an expanded first-team squad of 30 players this will be important.

“I am sure the Rhinos fans will turn out in force to support Ryan Hall for our clash with Hull KR.

“Rovers have recruited heavily during the close season so far and I have no doubt their fans will be keen to see how they get on against the Rhinos too.

“I see the last weekend as our final chance to tune the players up for the opening game of the season at St Helens.

“We have used a good number of first-team squad members in past fixtures at the Keepmoat and, given the size of our squad this year, we will be fielding a strong team for both the Featherstone and Doncaster games.

“We had a tough game against Featherstone last year in pre-season and enjoyed our experience at the Big Fellas Stadium in the Qualifiers, so it will be good to go back there again whilst Doncaster always provide a stern test for us.”