Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC - all you need to know

Fans will be back at Emerald Headingley for the first time in a year when Leeds Rhinos face Hull on Sunday.
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Here's all the essential information ahead of the big match.

Fixture: Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC.

At: Emerald Headingley.

Ash Handley speeds away to score his hat-trick try in Rhinos' win over Hull last October. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Ash Handley speeds away to score his hat-trick try in Rhinos' win over Hull last October. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Ash Handley speeds away to score his hat-trick try in Rhinos' win over Hull last October. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

On: Sunday, May 23

Kick-off: 7.30pm.

Coverage: Sky Sports, Our League for season ticket holders

Tickets: All-ticket. Capacity is set at 4,000, with places having been allocated by ballot. E-tickets have been distributed which can be printed at home or used via a smart phone. Season passes are not valid .

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Hull coach: Australian Brett Hodgson, 43, returned to Super League when he took charge at Hull in the off-season. He played in the NRL for Western Suburbs, Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers, then had stints with Huddersfield Giants - being named Man of Steel in 2009 - and Warrington Wolves. He began his coaching career with Widnes Viking’s academy before joining the backroom staff at Wests.

Hull star man: Australian stand-off Josh Reynolds was a high-profile arrival at Hull from Wests Tigers in pre-season. The 32-year-old former Canterbury Bulldogs pivot made four State of Origin appearances for New South Wales and is a two-time NRL Grand Finalist.

Key battle: Jake Connor has made a big impact for Hull since settling at full-back this year, after Jamie Shaul suffered a long-term knee injury. Leeds will gain some vital experience in the crucial role as Richie Myler makes his comeback from a two-game suspension.

Hull’s Form: Hull have won half of their six Super League games so far, with one draw. The Black and Whites suffered a second successive league defeat when they lost 27-10 to visitors Catalans Dragons last Monday. In between, they beat Wigan in a Challenge Cup quarter-final at Headingley.

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Previous meeting: October 8, 2020. Betfred Super League round 18 (at Headingley). Hull 22 (Tries Fonua, Savelio, Griffin, Brown. Goals Sneyd 3), Rhinos 40 (Handley 3, Walker 2, Donaldson, L Sutcliffe. Goals Martin 6). Referee: Ben Thaler.

Last five results (most recent first): Rhinos WLLLL; Hull LWLWD

Previous game: Rhinos 15, Wakefield Trinity 13 (May 14), Hull 10, Catalans Dragons 27 (May 17). Both in Super League.

Milestones: Rhinos’ Kruise Leeming is one game away from 150 in his career (21 for Rhinos, 2020-2021; 122 for Huddersfield Giants, 2013-2019; four for Oldham 2016, dual-registration, two for England Knights, 2018-2019.) Josh Griffin, of Hull, needs one try to reach 100 for his career (33 for Hull, 2017-2021; 34 for Salford Red Devils, 2014-2016; 11 for Batley

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Connections: Rhinos coach Richard Agar was in charge of Hull from 2008-2011. His assistant Sean Long is an ex-Hull player, as are Leeds wingers Tom and Luke Briscoe.

Super League head to head: Leeds have won 39, Hull have won 15, there has been one draw.. Rhinos’ highest score was 52-10 at home in 2002 - which is also their biggest winning margin - and 52-24 away in 2017. Hull’s highest score and widest margin was 38-6 at home in 2002.

Rhinos injuries: Jack Walker (foot), Harry Newman (broken leg), Rob Lui (quad muscle), Cameron Smith (hamstring), Tom Holroyd (fractured leg), Alex Sutcliffe (knee) and Callum McLelland (groin).

Team news: Zane Tetevano and Richie Myler are available for selection and come into Rhinos’ squad. Bodene Thompson (shoulder) and James Doinaldson (hip) are also in contention, along with the 17 who defeated Wakefield Trinity last weekend. Hull’s side will be selected from the team beaten by Catalans Dragons last Monday, plus Bureta Faraimo, Ben McNamara, Jack Brown and Connor Wynne.

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Leeds Rhinos: from T Briscoe, Hurrell, Handley, Gale, Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Tetevano, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, Myler, Vuniyayawa, Thompson, Walters, L Briscoe, Donaldson, O’Connor, Broadbent, Gannon.

Hull: from Connor, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua, Reynolds, Sneyd, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Ma’u, Sao, Johnstone, Cator, Lane, Fash, McNamara, Brown, Swift, Wynne, Scott.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths. His second game in charge of Rhinos this year, after the defeat at Hull KR in April

Next game: Castleford Tigers v Rhinos; St Helens v Hull (both 7.45pm on Friday, May 28, in Super League).

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