All you need to know about Leeds Rhinos' Super League clash with Huddersfield Giants

After 150 days, Leeds Rhinos are ready for a return to action.
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After 150 days, Leeds Rhinos are ready for a return to action.

Rhinos will face Huddersfield Giants at Emerald Headingley on Sunday in their first game for almost five months.

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Because of coronavirus, the game will be played behind closed doors and is officially Huddersfield's home fixture, rearranged from last February when John Smith's Stadium was lashed by Storm Ciara.

Giants' Ashton Golding, left and Kruise Leeming of Rhinos swapped clubs last autumn and could both make their debut tomorrow. They met at Golding's new business, Haus of Coffee, in Horsforth. Picture by Alex Whitehead SWpix.comGiants' Ashton Golding, left and Kruise Leeming of Rhinos swapped clubs last autumn and could both make their debut tomorrow. They met at Golding's new business, Haus of Coffee, in Horsforth. Picture by Alex Whitehead SWpix.com
Giants' Ashton Golding, left and Kruise Leeming of Rhinos swapped clubs last autumn and could both make their debut tomorrow. They met at Golding's new business, Haus of Coffee, in Horsforth. Picture by Alex Whitehead SWpix.com

Here's all the essential information.

Competition: Betfred Super League round two.

Opponents: Huddersfield Giants

At: Emerald Headingley

Rhinos celebrate after a try by Ash Handley, with ball, in last year's win at Huddersfield. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Rhinos celebrate after a try by Ash Handley, with ball, in last year's win at Huddersfield. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Rhinos celebrate after a try by Ash Handley, with ball, in last year's win at Huddersfield. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

On: Sunday, August 2

Kick-off: 6.30pm

Coverage: Sky Sports Main Event and Arena

Tickets: No admission for fans - the game will be played behind closed doors.

Sunday's referee is Robert Hicks. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Sunday's referee is Robert Hicks. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Sunday's referee is Robert Hicks. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Opposition coach: Aussie Simon Woolford, 45, took charge of Giants in April, 2018. He played as a hooker for Canberra Raiders and St George-Illawarra Dragons in the NRL and coached Queanbeyan Blues and Newcastle Knights’ New South Wales Cup team before joining Huddersfield.

Opposition star man: Half-back Aidan Sezer was in impressive form as Huddersfield won four of their opening five Super League games. The 28-year-old, who played for Canberra Raiders in last year’s NRL Grand Final, was a major off-season signing and justified his star billing with some excellent leadership, creativity and goal kicking.

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Key battle: Rhinos were considering Sezer as a possible recruit before they signed former Man of Steel Luke Gale from Castleford Tigers. Gale also had an impressive start to the season, both number sevens make their team tick and the outcome of their head-to-head tomorrow will go a long way towards deciding which team collects the two points.

Opposition form: Giants finished 10th last year, but made a strong start to 2020 by winning four of their opening five league games, including a stunning victory at St Helens. Their last game before the shutdown, though, was a surprise 18-0 home loss to Toronto Wolfpack in the Coral Challenge Cup.

Previous meeting: August 2, 2019. Betfred Super League round 24. Huddersfield Giants 0, Leeds Rhinos 44 (Tries Hurrell 2, Handley 2, Cuthbertson, T Briscoe, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe. Goals Martin 6). Referee: Robert Hicks. Attendance: 6,809.

Last five results: Rhinos LWWWW. Huddersfield WWLWL

Team news: Rhinos could give a debut to former Huddersfield hooker Kruise Leeming, winger Tom Briscoe is available after the knee injury he suffered against Giants exactly a year ago and young centre/second-row Alex Sutcliffe and prop Tom Holroyd are also in contention.

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The rest of Leeds' initial 17-man squad is made up of the players who beat Toronto last time out, on March 5.

Giants have included ex-Leeds full-back Ashton Golding in their squad for the first time and Leory Cudjoe could return from a long-term injury.

Huddersfield Giants: from Golding, McGillvary, Jake Wardle, Turner, McIntosh, Gaskell, Sezer, Gavet, O'Brien, Matagi, Edwards, Lawrence, English, Wilson, Murphy, Cudjoe, Holmes, Russell, L Senior, Wood, Walne.

Leeds Rhinos: from T Briscoe, Newman, Hurrell, Handley, Lui, Gale, Seumanufagai, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Dwyer, Myler, Cuthbertson, Oledzki, Smith, McLelland, L Briscoe, Donaldson, A Sutcliffe, Holroyd.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham).

A message from the Editor:

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Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

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Thank you

Laura Collins

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