Leeds Rhinos young gun faces nervous wait over Challenge Cup final selection

Holroyd is likely to be included after being among the substitutes for Rhinos’ 26-12 Coral Challenge Cup semi-final win over Wigan Warriors last weekend, which was only the ninth game of his Leeds career.

But Agar will then have to select 17 players to take on Salford Red Devils in Leeds’ first final since 2015 and Holroyd admitted he “will be a bit nervous” before the side is named.

“He knows what I am about and if that’s the kind of team he wants to go with - he knows I will put a lot of energy and effort in - I am hoping he will pick me,” Holroyd said.

But the 19-year-old stressed he won’t throw his toys out of the pram if he isn’t chosen.

He said: “At the end of the day it is team first. The team he picks, I am sure they will do the job to get that win.

“That’s what we want as a team.”

Holroyd made his debut two years ago, played three times last season and has made one start and four appearances as a substitute in 2020.

He is still very much a rookie at the elite level and pledged to make the most of the next 10 days, whether he is picked in the Wembley team or not.

“It’s very exciting,” Holroyd said. “It is all a new experience and I am just trying to get as much as I can from it and soak it all in. It doesn’t come around all that often.”

Holroyd remained on the bench for 70 minutes of the semi-final before having a chance to experience the closing stages, when Leeds had the game won.

“It was nerve-wracking,” he admitted of his long wait to join the action.

“I wasn’t too sure if I was going to get on, but I just hoped Rich had the confidence in me to put me on and luckily I got the last 10 minutes.

“I just hope he knows he can put me on for longer if he needs to.”

Agar has made no secret of his admiration for the Halifax-born former England academy powerhouse, who he rates as one of the brightest front-row prospects in the English game.

Holroyd said: “I was really happy with that [selection for the semi-final].

“I think he has put a lot of trust in me so far and I can only thank him for that and for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do.

“I am sure there’s much more to come though.”

Leeds have two games before the final, at home to Castleford Tigers tomorrow and six days later at Warrington Wolves.

Agar is likely to field his fringe players against Warrington, but has named a strong initial squad to face Tigers.

Alex Mellor drops out after suffering a knock against Wigan and is replaced by Bodene Thompson in the only change to Rhinos’ 21.

“I think whatever team we put out, against anyone in Super League, everyone is going to put their all in and contend for a win,” Holroyd said.

“Hopefully it [tomorrow] will be a good game.

“Every game matters now with the new percentage rules so everyone will be going out and digging in for the win. We will look at the final when that comes around.”

Derrell OIpherts (isolating) and Alex Foster (injury) could return for Tigers, but George Griffin drops out and Jake Trueman, Danny Richardson, Liam Watts and Jesse Sene-Lefao remain on the casualty list.

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