Leeds Rhinos boss Richard Agar has 'utmost faith' in assistants James Webster and Sean Long as he prepares to miss Catalans Dragons tie in Super League play-offs

Agar and his assistant, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, are isolating after another member of Rhinos’ backroom staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Sean Long, who was due to join the club next season, was drafted in early at the end of last week and is working alongside Agar’s right-hand man James Webster, who he will replace in 2021.

“I’ve just moved house, so I have got no internet or Sky tv at the moment,” Agar revealed.

“I have managed to get Sky fixed up for Friday morning and I think the internet should be done [today].

“All being well, if the internet’s done, I’ll be able to watch the game on Sky Go.”

Alternatively, Agar said: “I am hoping the government changes self-isolation from 14 to 10 days.

“There is some talk of that and, if that was to come in between now and Friday, that would clear me to go and attend the game.”

If not, Agar will be in touch with his coaching staff during the game, but insisted: “I don’t want to be like a parrot on their shoulders, throwing messages every two minutes.”

He said: “It’s not my style anyway and that would only distract them. I will have an open phone line with Kevin [Sinfield, director of rugby] and, if there’s anything they need to ask or I need to chip in, we are ready to go, but I have got the utmost confidence and faith in two experienced, very smart football brains.”

Of Webster and Long, he stressed: “They both know me really well - James has been there all year and Sean played a part for us at the start of the year.

“He did probably four or five sessions with us so he is familiar with the players and our style of play and our principles, and he played a big part in helping us tinker with them at the start of the year.

“He is a very smart rugby league brain and has continuously watched us throughout the year and been there to offer opinion and advice.

“It is not like someone coming in who has no knowledge of what’s going on. He is really familiar with where we are at.”

Agar has watched video of Rhinos’ training sessions this week as well as speaking to players individually over the phone.

“The boys have trained great, with a good intensity,” he reported.

“I have managed to speak to all the players who are going to be in and around our 18 or 19-man squad to explain team selection and talk about what we can expect on Friday night. It is all good.

“We have spoken to our senior group too and asked them to assume some more responsibility in making sure the intensity and skill levels in training are where they need to be this week. It is frustrating, but I have no real dramas. I am really confident we are in good hands.”

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