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Leeds Rhinos name starting side for Boxing Day clash with calls made on new signings

Leeds Rhinos' new head coach, Brad Arthur.
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur has confirmed his starting line-up for next week's Boxing Day clash against Wakefield Trinity. The Australian has named four new signings in his side, with another included on the bench.

The Rhinos' players have all been allocated squad numbers for the clash, with the final numbers for the 2025 season still to be determined. That sees young up-and-coming talent Alfie Edgell named at full-back, with Jake Connor set to start in the centre.

Elsewhere, Maika Sivo and Ryan Hall are on the wings, with Keenan Palasia at prop alongside Mikolaj Oledzki. Ash Handley is the centre, while last season's half-back pairing of Brodie Croft and Matt Frawley gets the nod, with Arthur confirming earlier this week that Connor will also play some time in the halves. James McDonell and James Bentley are in the back row, with Cam Smith at loose-forward. Andy Ackers is named at hooker.

In total, 25 players will get a runout at Headingley, with most set to play around 40 minutes of action. There are another 12 players named on the bench, including Harry Newman, who recently returned to pre-season training after international duty with England.

Jarrod O'Connor is also set to come on through the interchange alongside the likes of Sam Lisone, Tom Nicholson-Watton, and Tom Holroyd. Lachie Miller and Morgan Gannon are both missing through injury, with Miller nursing a hamstring tear and Gannon an Achilles issue.

Leeds Rhinos squad to face Wakefield Trinity: 1. Alfie Edgell; 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Jake Connor, 4. Ash Handley, 5. Ryan Hall; 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley; 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 10. Keenan Palasia, 11. James Bentley, 12. James McDonnell, 13. Cam Smith.

Interchange 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jack Smith, 17. Cooper Jenkins, 18. Jack Sinfield, 19. Tom Nicholson-Watton, 20. Riley Lumb, 21. Harry Newman, 22. Toby Warren, 23. Presley Cassell, 24. Jacob Stead, 25. Tom Holroyd.

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