Rhinos are without both first-choice wingers, a centre, one of their two leading props and a pair of second-rowers and seven of the 21-man squad have fewer than 10 first team appeareances to their name. With two of the starting team in last week’s defeat by Huddersfield Giants unavailable, coach Rohan Smith will have to make changes and teenagers Riley Lumb and Ben Littlewood have come into the initial group. Hull also have key men missing ahead of what is a crunch game for both teams. Here’s how Rhinos could line up.
13. Second-row: Mickael Goudemand
Mainly used as a 'middle' this year, starting or off the bench, but was at second-row in round one and may be back there on Sunday. Photo: Steve Riding
14. Loose-forward: Cameron Smith
One of the more straight-forward selection decisions. Photo: Steve Riding
15. Sub: Jarrod O'Connor
Will surely continue his near two-year every-present run, but may come on in the back-row rather than at hooker. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
16. Sub: Sam Lisone
Scored a hat-trick off the bench at Hull last year, another would be handy. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
17. Sub: Leon Ruan
Tom Nicholson-Watton did nothing wrong last week, but Ruan can play in the second-row as well as prop and that may swing it for him. Photo: Steve Riding
18. Sub: Alfie Edgell
Tricky; Nicholson-Watton is clearly an option, but Rhinos' issues at wing and centre may mean a back is selected on the bench. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com