Widnes Vikings v Leeds Rhinos: Leeds quintet in contention for first action of season

Full-back Ashton Golding, winger/centre Ash Handley and forwards Mitch Garbutt, Josh Walters and Mikolaj Oledzki have all been named in Rhinos’ initial 19-man squad for the trip to Widnes Vikings in Betfred Super League round three.

Golding will replace Jack Walker, who suffered a knee injury in the World Club Challenge defeat at Melbourne Storm seven days ago.

Garbutt has recovered from a dead leg suffered against Featherstone Rovers in pre-season and Oledzki is in contention after a shoulder injury.

Walters was 19th man last week and Handley’s only competitive game this year was on dual-registration for Featherstone.

Also missing from last week’s team are prop Adam Cuthbertson, who could be sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken hand and loose-forward Stevie Ward.

He tore a calf muscle against Melbourne and is facing a four to six week layoff

Brett Ferres (knee), Nathaniel Peteru (biceps), Keith Galloway (Achilles) and Anthony Mullally (finger) all remain on Rhinos’ casualty list.

Widnes are without suspended forward Chris Houston.

Olly Ashall-Bolt and Greg Burke also drop out from the team beaten by Warrington Wolves last week.

MacGraff Leuluai, Ed Chamberlain, Ted Chapelhow, Wellington Albert and Stanton Albert are the players vying for a call-up.

Widnes Vikings: from Hanbury, Marsh, Inu, Mellor, Gilmore, Whitley, Cahill, Olbison, Wilde, Leuluai, Dean, Craven, Walker, Chamberlain, J Chapelhow, T Chapelhow, Heremaia, W Albert, S Albert.

Leeds Rhinos: from Golding, Briscoe, Watkins, Sutcliffe, Hall, Moon, Myler, Parcell, Singleton, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Dwyer, Delaney, Garbutt, Keinhorst, Handley, Ormondroyd, Oledzki, Walters.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham).

Kick-off: Sunday, 3pm.