Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith reckons Morgan Gannon will be “fully back in the mix” for Super League action after the international break.
The teenage second-row is included in Shaun Wane’s 40-man England squad preparing to face France on Saturday week but isn't expected to feature in the Test. He hasn’t played for Leeds’ first team since the round two loss against Hull FC on February 24 due to a concussion issue. However, Gannon, 19, did play for the reserves last weekend as part of the player's latest staged return and Smith is pleased with the 19 year-old’s progress.
He said: “Ganno did well on the weekend. We plan on getting him a bunch more contact done over the next couple of weeks and lots of practice done. “While some guys are on lighter duties he’ll be working hard in this next little period and after the international break he’ll be well and truly back into the full mix and no doubt will force his way in.”
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After back-to-back wins, Smith doesn’t believe there will be a lot of changes for Friday’s visit to Leigh Leopards although he did say Ireland’s James Bentley will be back in the picture after missing Friday’s 34-10 win at Hull. Australian scrum-half Aidan Sezer came off at half-time in that game but has had a good week of prep’ and trained fully today so should be fit to resume. Loose forward Cameron Smith is set for his 100th Super League appearance and earned high praise from his coach.
Smith said: “I feel he’s made a very good contribution. He signed an extended deal in the pre-season and sometimes players get a little cosy when they sign a long-term deal. The opposite happened with Cam. He had a little clean-out on his elbow, he’s trained harder and got himself into the best shape of his life. He looks like a different athlete out there but is still the same player with his skill, he’s working on his D and is building an all-round game.
“He’s still got a lot of improvement in him which he says more than anyone. But he’s made a really good contribution on the field and is also a fantastic person and leader amongst our group and doing great things with his little side project coffee business as well so he’s a goer in life is that guy. He’s one of the club favourites and it’s hard to speak anything but good about Cam.”
Meanwhile, Leigh - with ex-Leeds players Tom Briscoe and Zak Hardaker in their ranks - thrashed Wakefield 32-0 on Sunday to seal their fourth win since earning promotion.
Smith added: “They've battled really hard this season. They recruited well last season in preparation for a promotion so they’ve had a bunch of their core players spend a fair amount of time together. Then they’ve added some quality players and experienced players - that we know very well - to their mix as well. They’re a dangerous team and with that home ground atmosphere and event they create there is something we can look forward to stepping into and creating a good spectacle.”
The new episode of House of League is out now! Matthew Shaw is joined by Paul Cooke and Joe Appleyard to discuss the season so far and grade every club's campaign.
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