Rohan Smith will be forced into several changes for Leeds Rhinos' Magic Weekend clash with Castleford Tigers, but figuring out who fits where isn't easy.
From last week, the Rhinos have lost two halfbacks and a centre, leaving the Leeds boss with plenty of changes to consider. One obvious change will see Blake Austin return in the halves to replace Morgan Gannon and looking at the personnel in the squad it's hard to see past Richie Myler partnering him.
That opens a fullback spot that could be given to youngster Alfie Edgell, who is in contention to debut after being named in the squad, or Luke Hooley after his return from a loan spell at Batley. However, Ash Handley seems the most likely given Smith's decision to use him there plenty of times already this season. Given that, it would mean two players slotting into the edges somewhere with Harry Newman also unavailable.
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There are options. Nene Macdonald and Derrell Olpherts are almost certain to play and given James Bentley's return, a move back to the centre for Rhyse Martin seems likely. That leaves the door open for one of Liam Tindall or Luis Roberts and it's a toss-up in determining who gets the nod. We've gone with Roberts in a move that would push Nene Macdonald out to the wing.
Martin's move to centre opens a back-row spot that James Bentley seems ready-made for. He has at times been used on the bench to do a spell at hooker when Jarrod O'Connor needs a breather but given Corey Johnson is likely to retain his spot, he can focus on the back-row role. Personnel-wise, everything remains the same thereafter, but the temptation to start Mikolaj Oledzki and Tom Holroyd might be too much to turn down. That would see Sam Walters come off the bench.
Predicted Leeds Rhinos team: Handley, Macdonald, Roberts, Martin, Olpherts, Austin, Myler, Holroyd, O'Connor, Oledzki, McDonnell, Bentley, Smith. Bench: Walters, Sangare, Donaldson, Johnson.
Missing out: Luke Hooley, Liam Tindall, Leon Ruan, Alfie Edgell
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