Sub shines, debutant impresses: Peter Smith's Leeds Rhinos player ratings from 46-0 win v Toulouse Olympique

Man of Steel Jake Connor again played a starring role, scoring two tries, creating several more and landing seven goals. Chris Hankinson showed up well in the second-row - and centre for a spell - on his return from a one-game concussion layoff and Tom Holroyd continued his development as an outstanding impact player, scoring a try and having another ruled out.

There was also an eye-catching cameo from 18-year-old debutant Zak Lloyd who got on for the final quarter, ran hard and made a couple of big tackles. Leeds led 18-0 after a scrappy, frustrating first 40, but started to hit their stride after scoring two tries either side of the break. Their determination to keep the opposition scoreless, even once the game was won, was impressive.

Against spirited opponents, missing many of their star names, Rhinos had 21 year olds Riley Lumb and Ned McCormack as their left-centre combination after Alfie Edgell was ruled out with a hamstring problem. Harry Newman shifted to wing on the other side, the position he made his Leeds debut in nine years ago.

McCormack, in his first Super League appearance of the season for Rhinos, had a touchdown ruled out after just six minutes. The ball came loose deep in Leeds territory, Kallum Watkins picked up and handed on to the centre who galloped away unopposed. Referee Tara Jones’s on-field decision was a try, but replays showed a Leeds hand had knocked the ball out.

The opening try came six minutes later. Lachie Miller’s pass sent Lumb into space, he was tackled by the full-back, but on the next play Connor stepped over from Miller’s pass. The scrum-half turned provider for the second touchdown, his pass being finished powerfully by Mikolaj Oledzki. That was on 22 minutes and there was no further score until the final play of the half.

Toulouse were threatening, via a Jack Bird knock-on and penalty in front of the posts, but Connor intercepted close to the line and offloaded to Lumb. He couldn’t go the distance, but held on to the ball and Rhinos made the opportunity count as Holroyd powered over for his third try in as many games, off Presley Cassell’s excellent pass after Cameron Smith had handled.

James McDonnell also extended his try-scoring streak to three matches - and grabbed his sixth in four games - when he ran a nice line on to Brodie Croft’s pass at the start of the second half. It was largely one-way traffic after that and Leeds played some fine rugby as they added four more tries.

Newman went over from Bird’s pass after a huge spell of pressure, Connor grabbed his second with a brilliant take from an equally good Miller kick and Croft crossed from lovely hands by Smith. Connor’s cut-out pass put Lumb over in the final moments.

The penalty count was six-two in Toulouse’s favour and Rhinos received five set-restarts to the visitors’ two, in front of an excellent 15,249 crowd.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Lumb, N McCormack, Bird, Newman, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Hankinson, McDonnell, Watkins. Subs Smith, Holroyd, Cassell, Lloyd.

Toulouse Olympique: Polselli, Ulberg, Quai-Ward, Tropis, Laguerre, Collin, Rouge, Belmas, Marion, Butler, O’Kane, Jussaume, Cator. Subs Garrigues, Chan, Wallace, Toleafoa.

Referee: Tara Jones (St Helens). Attendance: 15,249.