Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos - Thompson set for debut as squads are named

The 32-year-old New Zealand-born forward joined Leeds from Toronto Wolfpack this week on a deal until the end of this season.

He could get a chance in Sunday’s behind closed doors game at St Helens in place of Alex Mellor, who is expected to be out for around six weeks with a knee injury.

Konrad Hurrell is back in contention after missing last week’s defeat by St Helens due to a hamstring problem.

Lui (ankle) could also return after one game out and Liam Sutcliffe has recovered from knee surgery and is in the mix to make his first Leeds appearance since the win over Hull KR six months ago.

Players remaining on Rhinos’ casualty list are Jack Walker (foot), Stevie Ward (head), Richie Myler (hamstring), Dom Crosby (knee) and James Donaldson (back).

Wigan are without half-back Thomas Leuluai who was injured against Wakefield last week and prop George Burgess will serve a one-game ban.

Joe Greenwood, who had a spell on loan at Rhinos earlier this year without playing a game, is in contention for Wigan and other members of the 21-man squad who didn’t play last week are Chris Hankinson, Joe Burgess, Jack Wells, Amir Bourouh and Joe Shorrocks.

Wigan Warriors: from Hardaker, Marshall, Hankinson, J Burgess, French, Powell, Isa, Farrell, Greenwood, Smithies, Bullock, Byrne, Manfredi, Clark, Bibby, H Smith, Wells, Havard, Hastings, Bourouh, Shorrocks.

Leeds Rhinos: from T Briscoe, Newman, Hurrell, Handley, Lui, Gale, Seumanufagai, Leeming, Prior, Martin, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, Cuthbertson, Oledzki, Thompson, Evans, C Smith, McLelland, L Briscoe, A Sutcliffe, Holrold.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham).

Kick-off: Sunday, 6.30pm at St Helens.

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