Happy to be back - Liam Sutcliffe's return from injury is a boost for Leeds Rhinos

Sutcliffe was a try-scoring substitute in only his third game for Leeds this year.

He suffered a knee injury in Rhinos’ Betfred Super League round-two win over Hull KR in March and, after a comeback game on dual-registration for Featherstone Rovers, underwent surgery during lockdown.

His ability to play in a range of positions gives Rhinos another option, particularly in a pack weakened by injuries to James Donaldson and Alex Mellor who could both be out of action until late next month.

Sutcliffe was introduced midway through the second half and confirmed there were no ill-effects from his long lay-off.

“I feel fine,” he said. “I just wanted to get through it all right and come through the other side unscathed, so I am happy with that.”

Sutcliffe, who crossed from Luke Gale’s short pass soon after going on, added: “It’s always good to get over and nice to get off the nude run [a forfeit for players who don’t score in a season] pretty much straight away, so I was pleased with that as well.”

Sutcliffe described his performance as “not too bad” and reflected: “I got a hit-out for the last 20 and I was just happy to get out there. It has been a long five months and I was just happy to get through to 20 minutes.

“I had a few little nerves before the game and when you are sat on the bench you just want to get out there but, as soon as the game kicked off, I was all right and just waited for the call.”

The 25-year-old England Knights man - who earned one full Test cap in 2018 - reckons he will benefit from some match time in his legs.

“Now I have got a game under my belt I am happy with that and, for the rest of the season, I’ll see how I go,” he said.

Rhinos have no game this weekend after receiving a bye through to the quarter-finals of the Coral Challenge Cup. Their next fixture is against Salford Red Devils at Warrington on Saturday, August 29 and extra training will also help Sutcliffe.

He said: “I was glad to get the 20 [minutes], but I have got two weeks now just to build on a bit more fitness and, hopefully, get back to a good standard.”

After five successive wins either side of the coronavirus break, Leeds are on the back of successive defeats to St Helens and Wigan.

They have plunged from top of Super League to sixth, and Sutcliffe admitted: “Obviously, everyone’s disappointed with how the last two weeks have gone.

“But it is a different game now and everyone just wants to get to grips with how the game is played, with the new six-again rule and things like that. Everyone’s still pretty upbeat and confident, we have still got a fair few games left so I am sure we will come good. Effort was there [against Wigan], it was just a few sloppy mistakes that cost us at vital points.”

And Sutcliffe will need more time on the field before forming an opinion on the sport’s new laws.

He said: “Getting the last 20, I have had a bit of a taste of it but, until I play a full game or a couple of games, that’s when I’ll be able to tell more. It does look different and a fair few of the boys have said it is different when they’ve played.

“In the last 20 I didn’t feel it has changed that much, I need to be part of it for the full game and that’s probably when I’ll realise how fast it actually is.”

Sutcliffe is on the transfer list after telling Rhinos during lockdown that he wants to leave before his contract expires in November, 2021.

But he also stressed that he is fully committed to the cause until a move happens.

“Stuff is still going on in the background,” he said.

“I am not sure how long that will take or when anything will come out.”

A message from the Editor:

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

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins