Ash Handley's knee injury isn’t ringing alarm bells with Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar

With Tom Briscoe yet to return from a knee reconstruction, that could be a concern for Leeds, but coach Richard Agar said: “It was starting to affect him running so, with a fresh man on the bench with 15 minutes to go, we didn’t think it was too much of an issue.”

Alex Sutcliffe came into Leeds’ 17 for only his second appearance, both as a substitute, in two seasons. The centre/second-rower has recovered from a broken hand suffered during last month’s training camp in Spain.

Agar said: “It was quite unexpected really. Liam Sutcliffe failed a fitness test on his knee at the team run [on Friday]. We have got a big rating on Alex and he managed to sneak on the bench and get 12 minutes at the end. It’s good to have him back. He has only been back in training a week from having the cast off his thumb so it will be a good bit of experience for him.”

Agar praised his side for scrapping their way back from 8-0 down and was again impressed with young centre Harry Newman. He said: “I’ve been really pleased with him. He has started the season really positively. His last two games, playing right-centre, have been nothing short of outstanding, especially the physical side of his game [against Salford].

“He is the ultimate competitor and really wants to have a career in the game and go as far as he possibly can.”