Leeds Rhinos: Rookie coach Rob Burrow ready to be thrown in at deep end

Burrow hung up his boots after last year’s Betfred Super League Grand Final win over Castleford Tigers to take up a new position as Leeds’ head of academy coaching.

Though he has coached in Rhinos’ scholarship, Friday will be his debut in an official first team fixture.

Rhinos’ first-choice side will visit Castleford Tigers on Sunday, but Burrow reckons the game at Betfred League One side Coventry is a big opportunity for some of the club’s teenage talent – and himself.

“The only way I can learn as a coach is to be thrown in at the deep end,” said the eight-time Grand Final winner.

“The first team are playing on Sunday, but we have got a lot of experience in the side – people like Ash Handley, Jordan Lilley, Josh Walters, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Mikolaj Oledzki and Cameron Smith.

“Put those players in the mix with the young lads and it is exciting. I am not sure of the level of Coventry, but our young lads will be playing against men which is what they need.

“It is a challenge, we have got some 16 year olds involved so it’ll be really interesting.”

The academy players chosen for Friday night are the ones who have most impressed since training began on November 13, according to Burrow.

He said: “We’re at that stage where everybody’s ready for a game. The 19s haven’t got a full friendly themselves, so we’ve got to get out of it as much as we can.”

Of his transition from player to coach, Burrow said: “I absolutely love it.

“There will be a time when I do miss playing, but I haven’t missed it so far.

“I could have done another year, but it was definitely the right decision.

“I am enjoying seeing things from another point of view.”

Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos have confirmed their Easter Monday game at home to Salford Red Devils, on April 2, will kick-off at 3pm.

The Good Friday trip to Huddersfield Giants had already been announced as a 3pm start.