Six Leeds Rhinos players on duty for Featherstone Rovers’ pre-season opener
SIX LEEDS Rhinos players will be on duty when Featherstone Rovers play host to York City Knights on Sunday in their first pre-season game (3pm).
Prop Wellington Albert, who will spend the season on loan at Rovers, is set to play alongside young forwards Tyler Dupree and Jarrod O’Connor from Rhinos’ full-time squad.
Dupree played on loan at York last year. O’Connor is son of the Sky Sports pundit and former Wigan Warriors forward Terry O’Connor.
Leeds reserves’ loose-forward Loui McConnell, half-back Harvey Spence and full-back Liam Whitton are also included.
It will be James Webster’s first game as Rovers coach and he is relishing seeing his side in action, despite missing several key players through injury.
After reaching last year’s Betfred Championship Grand Final Rovers began pre-season later than most of their rivals due and Webster admitted: “We will be a bit underdone, but I expect them to go out there and do okay.
“I think we are pretty fit, we’ve worked pretty hard and I’m looking forward to seeing how we go.
“I am not expecting too much, I understand York are a decent team and we’re looking forward to playing against a good Championship side.”
Star signing Brett Ferres began running in training this week and could be available for Rovers’ warm-up game at Webster’s previous club, Hull KR, on January 19.