Leeds Rhinos forced into four changes for Hull KR Challenge Cup quarter-final

SUSPENSIONS, Cup rules and coronavirus will force at least four changes to Leeds Rhinos’ line-up when they take on Hull KR tonight.
Rhyse Martin is available for selection against Hull KR. Pictue: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMedia.Rhyse Martin is available for selection against Hull KR. Pictue: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMedia.
Rhyse Martin is available for selection against Hull KR. Pictue: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMedia.

Alex Sutcliffe, Bodene Thompson, Brad Dwyer and Brett Ferres drop out from the team which beat Huddersfield Giants 13-12 in Betfred Super League a week ago. Dwyer, last week’s substitute hooker, will serve a one-game ban and Alex Sutcliffe begins a two-match suspension. Thompson - who started in the second-row against Giants - is Cup-tied, having played for his previous club Toronto Wolfpack in the fifth round six months ago.

On-loan Featherstone Rovers forward Ferres, who was on the bench, is in a similar situation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Second-rowers Alex Mellor - who has missed two games with a back injury - and Rhyse Martin are available after being stood down for Covid-19 reasons last week.

Matt Prior is available for selection against Hull KR. Pictue: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMedia.Matt Prior is available for selection against Hull KR. Pictue: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMedia.
Matt Prior is available for selection against Hull KR. Pictue: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMedia.

Props Matt Prior and Tom Holroyd, winger Luke Briscoe and stand-off Callum McLelland are also included in Rhinos’ initial 21-man squad following the coronavirus scare seven days ago.

A Rhinos player who tested positive for coronavirus earlier in the week has produced a second similar result and is isolating, along with three team-mates who have been identified on track and trace as close contacts.

One other player who felt unwell on Wednesday returned a negative test result and is back with the squad.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The player with the virus featured against Giants, but - along with the other three who have been stood down - has not been named by the club.

Luke Briscoe is available for selection against Hull KR. Picture: James Hardisty/JPIMedia.Luke Briscoe is available for selection against Hull KR. Picture: James Hardisty/JPIMedia.
Luke Briscoe is available for selection against Hull KR. Picture: James Hardisty/JPIMedia.

Rovers are without stand-off Jordan Abdull who is beginning a two-match ban, which will also include next Thursday’s Super League meeting with Leeds at Warrington.

Jamie Ellis could return to the side in his place.

Former Leeds prop Robbie Mulhern is in contention after injury and Matty Gee, Will Maher and Harvey Livett are other players vying for a recall.

Leeds Rhinos: from T Briscoe, Newman, Hurrell, Handley, Lui, Gale, Seumanufagai, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, L Sutcliffe, Myler, Cuthbertson, Oledzki, McLelland, L Briscoe, Donaldson, Walters, Holroyd, O’Connor.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hull KR: from Dagger, Ellis, Garbutt, Gee, Handley, Hauraki, Kenny-Dowall, Lawler, Lewis, Linnett, Litten, Livett, Maher, Minchella, Minikin, Mulhern, Murray, Parcell, Peteru, Ryan, Storton.

Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan).

Kick-off: Today, 8.15pm at TW Stadium, St Helens.

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.

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 HEREThank you, Laura Collins

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.