Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos latest team news & 21-man squads
Unforced changes are likely when Leeds Rhinos visit Warrington Wolves tonight (Thursday).
The game comes five days after Leeds pipped London Broncos 17-16 in golden-point extra-time and the short turnaround - as well as injuries - will be factored into Rhinos’ team selection. “There will be some changes,” acting-coach Chev Walker pledged. “It is what’s right for the team and the individuals who’ll miss out.”
He stressed: “Nothing drastic, I’ve said in the past it is a squad. When we played Leigh [three weeks ago] we used some young lads and it is about the squad playing and supporting each other.”
Centre Harry Newman (foot) and substitute prop Justin Sangare (knee) are ruled out after being hurt last Saturday. Three-quarter Luis Roberts has recovered from a groin injury and replaces Newman in the 21-man squad. Academy product Tom Nicholson-Watton comes in for Sangare.
Scrum-half Jack Sinfield, full-back Alfie Edgell, centre Ned McCormack and forward Ben Littlewood retain their place in the initial squad after not being selected against London. Warrington are without centre Connor Wrench, wing Toby King and second-row Lachlan Fitzgibbon because of injuries suffered in last Friday’s defeat of Huddersfield Giants.
Ex-Rhinos loan forward James Harrison will feature after having a one-match ban overturned on appeal, winger Matty Ashton and forward Jordy Crowther both return from injury and prop Joe Bullock, front-rower Lucas Green, centre Aaron Lindop, forward Max Wood and full-back Cai Taylor-Wray - a product of the East Leeds community club - are also vying for a place in the matchday 17.
Warrington Wolves: from Ashton, Bullock, Crowther, Currie, Drinkwater, Dufty, Green, Harrison, Holroyd, Lindop Musgrove, Nicholson, Powell, Ratchford, Tai, Taylor-Wray, Vaughan, Walker, Whitehead, Williams, Wood.
Leeds Rhinos: from Miller, Fusitu'a, Momirovski, Handley, Croft, Frawley, Oledzki, Ackers, Martin, C Smith, O'Connor, Lisone, McDonnell, Goudemand, Sinfield, Roberts, Edgell, Nicholson-Watton, McCormack, Littlewood, Eseh.
Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan). Kick-off: Tonight, 8pm.