Leeds Rhinos have received an enormous boost after Ash Handley was named in their squad for the Grand Final. Handley, who has missed the play-offs with a knee injury, is in contention to feature after Rohan Smith named him in his side for the trip to Old Trafford.
Handley limped off in Leeds' final-round victory over Castleford Tigers and hasn't featured since. Following victory over Wigan Warriors on Friday, Smith said both Handley and Fusitu'a were unlikely to feature. Though Fusitu'a remains absent, Handley, who has often captained the side this year during the absence of Kruise Leeming, is the notable inclusion. Tom Briscoe and Liam Tindall have been the two wingers in the play-off triumphs.
Rhyse Martin also returns after serving his controversial two-match ban in another boost for Leeds, who will be missing Fusitu’a, Harry Newman, Aidan Sezer, Morgan Gannon and Tom Holroyd through injury.
Read more: How St Helens successfully appealed Morgan Knowles ban before the Grand Final
Meanwhile, St Helens could recall Will Hopoate after he was named in their squad, alongside Morgan Knowles following Saints' successful appeal of his ban. Hopoate, a key performer for the champions, has struggled through injury during his first season at the Totally Wicked Stadium. He hasn't played for over a month after being withdrawn at half-time in their victory over Hull KR. Saints are without the likes of Regan Grace and Alex Walmsley.
Leeds Rhinos squad : Sutcliffe, Handley, Austin, Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Bentley, Martin, Tetevano, Dwyer, Myler, Smith, Thompson, Briscoe, Walters, O'Connor, Donaldson, Mustapha, Tindall, Sinfield, Hardaker.
St Helens squad: Welsby, Makinson, Hopoate, Percival, Lomax, Roby, Lees, Mata'utia, Batchelor, Knowles, Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Sironen, Paasi, WIngfield, Bell, Simm, Davies, Hurrell, Norman, Bennison.
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