Young forward gets first call up as Leeds Rhinos squad named for Catalans Dragons trip

Twenty-year-old prop Tom Nicholson-Watton replaces Sam Walters who was handed a one-match suspension for dangerous contact in last Saturday’s 50-0 hammering by Wigan Warriors.

None of the players who missed that game through injury is back in contention this week, but winger Ash Handley is included in the initial squad, despite damage to a foot.

Nicholson-Watton played for the Guiseley Rangers and Stanningley community clubs and was capped by England at under-16 level.

He joined Rhinos in 2018 and captained the scholarship team before progressing through the academy and reserves. Nicholson-Watton featured in the 2022 Boxing Day game against Wakefield Trinity, has spent time on loan at Betfred Championship club Keighley Cougars this term and trained with Leeds’ senior side, despite not being an official member of the full-time squad.

Rhinos’ 21-man squad is: David Fusitu’a, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, Derrell Olpherts, Tom Holroyd, James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon, Luke Hooley, Liam Tindall, James Donaldson, Corey Johnson, Jack Sinfield, Leon Ruan, Alfie Edgell, Riley Lumb, Tom Nicholson-Watton.

Catalans’ squad is: Tom Davies, Adam Keighran, Fouad Yaha, Tyrone May, Mitchell Pearce, Mike McMeeken, Micky McIlorum, Julian Bousquet, Matt Whitley, Paul Seguier, Benjamin Garcia, Alrix Da Costa, Romain Navarrete, Cesar Rouge, Tiaki Chan, Arthur Romano, Matt Ikuvalu, Jordan Dezaria, Tom Johnstone, Manu Ma’u, Sam Tomkins.