Leeds Rhinos boss Richard Agar to miss Catalans Dragons tie - but new assistant Sean Long comes in early

Rhinos have called up new assistant-coach Sean Long, who was set to join them next season and he took part in training for the first time today (Friday).

Rhinos confirmed a member of the club’s backroom team has tested positive for Covid 19 and is isolating.

Agar and another staff member are now also isolating under test and trace procedures.

Assistant-coach James Webster is leading the coaching staff in their absence, with Long also involved at training.

All three members of the coaching staff currently isolating are due to return to work after next weekend.

Rhinos director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said: "We are trying to keep everybody safe and well.

"We have to make sure we do things right, we always have as a club and we need to do it now."

Long was due to join Rhinos next season, but said he "loved every minute" of today's session.

He said: “We did a good tutorial in the morning with the spine of the team and the middles and then we did some unopposed stuff and some team on team.

“They looked pretty sharp, so I was really impressed.”

Long spent some time with Rhinos in pre-season but is now back in rugby league following a spell at union club Harlequins.

He added: “All the boys are welcoming and it was nice to see their faces.

“It was great to see Galey [Luke Gale] and Rob Lui again and Brad Dwyer.

“The stuff we were talking about in January, prior to Covid, they picked it up straight away.”

Long was known as one of the top half-backs in the game during his playing days for Wigan, Widnes, St Helens and Hull, as well as England and Great Britain.

He hung up his boots in 2011 and has worked as an assistant-coach at Salford, St Helens and with Samoa.

He spent a year at Harlequins before leaving the London club last month.

Of his return to league, he said: “It’s awesome.

“I have been pulling my hair out for about three and a half weeks now.

“I didn’t think this [joining Rhinos this season] would happen, but I got a call from Kev and I couldn’t sleep that night.”

Of next week's tie, he noted: "We’ve had a b it of a break after the Challenge Cup.

“Everyone’s fresh and we are good to go.

“We know we are in for a tough game, but we are battle-hardened I think.

“I feel we are ready to go next week.”

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