Leeds Rhinos v Hull: Everything you need to know

Leeds Rhinos kick off their Betfred Super League season at home to Hull on Sunday. Here's the lowdown.
By Peter Smith
Published 31st Jan 2020, 20:09 BST
Updated 1st Feb 2020, 11:25 BST
Rhijnos' Ash Handley in action against Hull last year. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Rhijnos' Ash Handley in action against Hull last year. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Rhijnos' Ash Handley in action against Hull last year. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Competition: Betfred Super League round one

Opponents: Hull

At: Emerald Headingley

Hull coach Lee Radford.Hull coach Lee Radford.
Hull coach Lee Radford.

On: Sunday, February 2

Kick-off: 4.45pm

TV coverage: Sky Sports Arena

Tickets: Prices begin at £24 for adults. The game is expected to sell out. To buy, visit tickets.therhinos.co.uk

Hull's key man Jake ConnorHull's key man Jake Connor
Hull's key man Jake Connor

Curtain-raiser: Toronto Wolfpack make their Super League debut against Castleford Tigers at 2.30pm in the first part of the competition's first double-header.

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Opposition coach: Born in Hull, Lee Radford, 40, had two spells as a forward for his hometown club either side of a stint with Bradford Bulls during their Super League glory days. He retired as a player n 2011 to become assistant to then-coach Peter Gentle and moved into the hot seat in September, 2013. He was in charge for back-to-back Wembley triumphs in 2016 and 2017.

Opposition form: Hull were consistently inconsistent last year. They won 15 and lost 14 of their 29 league matches, but finished - in sixth spot - with a negative points difference, scoring fewer and conceding more than Rhinos. They ended a long barren run at Headingley with a 26-24 success in July.

Opposition star man: What role Jake Connor fills this season remains to be seen, but the England man has been handed the number six jersey and can - if he regains the sort of form he showed two years ago - make Hull a force this year.

Key battle: New signings Josh Jones and Manu Ma’u will form a formidable second-row pairing for Hull. Whoever partners Rhyse Martin for Leeds - likely to be Stevie Ward or Alex Mellor - will have their hands full.

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Injuries: Rhinos will be without prop Ava Seumanufagai who suffered a knee injury in the pre-season win at Wigan two weeks ago. Also on the casualty list are Tom Briscoe, Kruise Leeming, Dom Crosby and Alex Sutcliffe. Hooker Danny Houghton is Hull's major absentee.

Last five results: Rhinos WLWLW. Hull WLLLL

Previous meeting: July 21, 2019. Betfred Super League round 23. Leeds Rhinos 24 (Tries T Briscoe 2, Hurrell, Handley. Goals Martin 4), Hull 26 (Tries Manu, Faraimo, Shaul, Naulago. Goals Sneyd 5). Referee: Marcus Griffiths. Attendance: 13,351.

Super League head to head: Played 51, Rhinos won 36, Hull won 14, 1 draw.

Handicap: Hull receive two-point start.

Related topics:Super League