Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott has suggested he may make several changes to his team for this Friday’s clash with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
After triumphing against the Wildcats in the Tetley’s Challenge Cup last weekend, McDermott revealed at his pre-match press conference that there could be some changes, as a couple of his key players have doubts hanging over them. With the busy Easter period ahead, McDermott may take the opportunity to rotate slightly.
“There will be one or two changes. A bit of rotation and a couple of bumps that we probably need to rest, in all fairness,” McDermott told the media.
“There’s a doubt over Magsy (Danny McGuire) and Brett Delaney – but in fairness there’s a doubt over Brett Delaney every single week.
“We might rest Zak Hardaker too, but that’s a call we’ll make it a later date.”
And Hardaker has indeed been left out of the Rhinos’ 19-man squad for the West Yorkshire derby on Friday night, with Ben Jones-Bishop coming into the squad to replace him. That is likely to be a straight swap at full-back, in a game where Jamie Peacock makes his 500th career appearance.
Leeds Rhinos squad to face Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: Ben Jones-Bishop, Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Kylie Leuluai, Jamie Peacock, Carl Ablett, Kevin Sinfield, Stevie Ward, Brett Delaney, Ryan Bailey, Ian Kirke, Chris Clarkson, Mitch Achurch, Tom Briscoe, Liam Sutcliffe, Brad Singleton.