
Leeds Rhinos have opted to rotate their squad ahead of this weekend’s clash against London Broncos – with nine of their semi-final winning squad left out for the trip to the capital.
Similar to Castleford Tigers – who have left out a whole host of their big hitters the week before the Challenge Cup Final – the Rhinos have given a large crux of their big stars the week off too. Brett Delaney, Rob Burrow, Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield are all nursing injuries, whilst another quintet of stars have been rested.
Boss Brian McDermott told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Brett Delaney, name a part of his body and he will be carrying it.
“Rob Burrow has got a groin issue, JP [Jamie Peacock] has got some sort of back neural issue, with his back, Kev [Sinfiel] has got some heel issues and Carl Ablett has got a thumb injury.”
On top of those five, Joel Moon, Danny McGuire, Kylie Leuluai and Jamie Jones-Buchanan are all rested. It means that the likes of Ash Handley, Ashton Golding and Jordan Lilley are all in line for their first-team debuts.
Leeds Rhinos’ 19-man squad: Zak Hardaker, Kallum Watkins, Ryan Hall, Paul Aiton, Stevie Ward, Ryan Bailey, Ian Kirke, Chris Clarkson, Mitch Achurch, Tom Briscoe, Liam Sutcliffe, Brad Singleton, Elliot Minchella, Josh Walters, Robbie Ward, Ash Handley, Ben White, Ashton Golding, Jordan Lilley.