Initial squads have been named for Sunday’s Magic Weekend derby between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls in Liverpool.

Rhinos boss Brad Arthur will take an unchanged 21 to Hill Dickinson Stadium following last Friday’s 34-8 defeat of Hull KR. Scrum-half Jake Connor has been given the all clear after taking a knock late in that game and prop/loose-forward Presley Cassell is included despite suffering a knee injury in a reserves game last week.

Winger Riley Lumb, prop Tom Nicholson-Watton and centre Jack Bird retain their place in the preliminary group after not featuring last week. Second-rower Ethan O’Neill, centre Max Simpson and stand-off George Brown are the only first team squad members on Rhinos’ casualty list.

Jake Connor is included in Leeds Rhinos' squad to face Bradford Bulls on Sunday despite picking up a knock against Hull KR last week. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Bulls are without Will Gardiner who was concussed during last Saturday’s loss to St Helens. Fellow back-rower Phoenix Steinwede drops out after an injury in the same game. Hooker Mitch Souter, prop Alfie Leake and forward Cameron Bate are drafted in by coach Kurt Haggerty who selected from only 20 players last week.

Rhinos’ 21 man squad is: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Riley Lumb, Danny Levi, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Jack Bird.

Bulls’ initial squad is: Caleb Aekins, Waqa Blake, Ethan Ryan, Jayden Nikorima, Ryan Sutton, Andy Ackers, Dan Russell, Joe Mellor, Mitch Souter, Eribe Doro, Ebon Scurr, Luke Hooley, Connor Wynne, Guy Armitage, Eliot Peposhi, Alfie Leake, Cameron Bate, Leon Ruan, Chris Atkin, Jack Ormondroyd, Riley Dean.