Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos latest team news and squads as rookie's route back to Super League revealed
Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has backed rookie full-back Fergus McCormack to play more first team rugby after impressing in a three-game cameo.
Lachie Miller will return from suspension in place of McCormack when Betfred Super League leaders Leeds visit second-placed Warrington Wolves this evening (Thursday). That is likely to be the only change to Rhinos’ 17 from last Friday’s 48-24 win at Toulouse Olympique.
“Lachie was the leader of the Man of Steel and he has had a sensational season so far,” Arthur said of Leeds’ number one. “It is unfortunate he missed out and he is in our best team every day of the week, but in saying that, Fergie has done a great job for us.
“This is all part of being a young player and developing. They will get some time in the team and some time out - he was taught some good lessons and he has learned plenty from his three games.”
McCormack joined Rhinos’ system as a half-back and made his first team debut off the bench in a Challenge Cup win against Widnes Vikings at the start of this season. Of how he can regain a place in the team, Arthur stressed: “Number one is form.
“No one who has been in our 17 this year has shown any signs of taking their position for granted. Everyone’s playing well and they know if they don’t there will be changes made. That’s the level of competition we’ve got for spots, then injuries could play a role. I would be more than happy to give Ferg some time in the halves if something happened there.
“The good thing about it is he understands his position in the team and the club. All the young guys understand they are part of a good squad and their biggest contribution for us is how they train and how they get the team ready. They train at a real high standard and lift performances on game day by the training standards they are providing.”
Warrington are without centre Zack Gardner who suffered a dislocated shoulder during last Thursday’s win at St Helens. Fellow three-quarter Arron Lindop could return after a year on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and coach Sam Burgess has given Leeds-born full-back Cai Taylor-Wray a 50-50 chance of making his comeback following ankle surgery.
Warrington Wolves: from Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Hopoate, Ashton, Sneyd, Walker, Harrison, A Holroyd, Currie, Powell, Sipley, Byrne, Crowther, Irwin, Hayes, Bentley, Thomas, Lindop, J Smith, Tanginoa, Webster.
Leeds Rhinos: from Miller, Sivo, Newman, Handley, Hall, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, T Holroyd, Watkins, McDonnell, Palasia, Hankinson, Jenkins, C Smith, Cassell, Levi, Nicholson-Watton, McCormack, Bird.
Referee: Liam, Moore (Wigan). Kick-off: Thursday, 8pm.