Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons - Callum McLelland confident youngsters will prosper in big Super League opportunity

Eight of Rhinos’ initial 21 for the Emerald Headingley fixture have not played in Leeds’ first team and six others have fewer than 10 appearances for the club, though that includes experienced duo Bodene Thompson and Rhys Evans.

But McLelland - a veteran of seven Rhinos games, including four this year - revealed this evening’s side are used to playing together in training - against Leeds’ first-choice 13 - and he is confident they will rise to the occasion.

He said: “It is going to be weird, being one of the players who has already played, but it is exciting as well.

“We train with each other every single day so it’s not like we are a brand new team forming.

“What people don’t see and don’t know is we train with this sort of team against the usual starting team.

“A couple of times a week we have a good go at each other so it is not going to be brand new to us.

“We have already got our chemistry and we are raring to go, it is going to come as second nature.”

Several of the newcomers have played for England at academy or youth level and McLelland said all have impressed at training since lockdown ended.

“I am excited for all the young boys as well,” the Scotland international added.

“Some of them are going to be getting their debut and it’s a special occasion, especially to be doing it in such a bizarre year. It is going to be memorable, all the boys have trained really well and we’re all looking forward to it.

“With all the fixtures coming thick and fast now, we have got to start getting used to it.

“All the boys who are ready to step up are going to step up and hopefully they will all give a good account of themselves.”

Coach Richard Agar is resting most of his first-choice players ahead of Saturday’s Coral Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan Warriors.

Rhinos have another Wednesday fixture in two weeks’ time and McLelland, 21, said it’s important the fringe players show they can come in and do a job.

“We have got a few players who are on the fringe, who everyone has their full trust in,” he said.

“The boys are raring to go.”

Agar has pledged since Super League’s restart to give some untested youngsters an opportunity and believes pleasant surprises are in store.

McLelland also feels some of today’s squad are ready to make a name for themselves.

“We have probably got the best youngsters in England,” he said of Rhinos’ full-time squad and youth setup.

“We have got near enough a full side ready to go.

“Of the lads making their debut, there’s young Sammy Walters who’s the tallest in the team and very skilful.

“Jarrod O’Connor works hard, he is one of the hardest-working players I’ve played with. Liam Tindall - on the wing - is one of the youngest lads making their debut, but he is one of the strongest and biggest.

“It will be exciting and, hopefully, they can all have a good game and enjoy the occasion.”

Catalans boss Steve McNamara has named a strong squad and they will be overwhelming favourites, but McLelland insisted Leeds aren’t just fulfilling the fixture.

“A lot of people will write us off, but as long as the 17 players putting a jersey on believe we can win and everyone in the backroom staff believe we can win, there’s no reason why we can’t go out and win,” he insisted.

“That’s the mentality going into the game.

“We are raring to go and a lot of the boys want to put a show on for Rich and show that they can actually handle playing at this level.”

McLelland has been in or around Leeds’ 21 for most of this season, but stressed he needs to step up a level from recent performances.

“To be honest, I wasn’t very pleased with myself after those games,” he admitted.

“I thought I did all right against Saints, but playing as the main half this week it is going to be a good opportunity to lead the boys around the field and give myself a bit more experience in the position at that level.”

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.

A letter from the editor

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