Matty Peet is expecting Leeds Rhinos to be significantly strengthened when his Wigan Warriors side travel to Headingley on Thursday night. Peet’s men cross the Pennines after a thumping 60-0 win over Hull FC and could hand a debut to England prop Mike Cooper following his arrival from Warrington Wolves.
Old adversaries Leeds have endured a hugely inconsistent campaign but were severely depleted when they lost to relegation-threatened Toulouse Olympique on Saturday night. As the Roses rivals prepare to cross swords at Headingley this week, Zak Hardaker, Kruise Leeming, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer and Harry Newman could all return for Rohan Smith’s play-off chasing side.
Peet believes his Challenge Cup winners will face a stern test, saying: “Leeds are looking for that consistency, but with the team and talent they have got, they’re a club that demands success and they recruit accordingly.
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“They have got a great academy as well and, if you look at their squad when their players at their best, then Leeds are very dangerous. Look at their two nines (Leeming and Brad Dwyer) and their half-backs, plus Richie Myler is playing well and Harry Newman is going to come back in.
“Then they have two wingers (Ash Handley and David Fusitu’a) who would stand up against anyone in the competition. There are a lot of exciting players across their squad and the venue itself is one of the great rugby league venues.
"With a new coach who has not had that many games in front of the home fans, we’re under no illusions about the test that awaits us. Obviously Newman comes back [after suspension] and is one of the most exciting young players in the country.
Leeds have won eight Super League titles and are a club held in high regard by Peet.
“It’s going to be an outstanding atmosphere at Headingley, the Leeds fans are incredible and the staff behind the scenes there do a great job,” he said. “It always feels like a big game when Wigan go there.”
Peet, meanwhile paid tribute to former Wigan prop Ricky Bibey following his passing at the weekend aged 40.
He said: “I saw Ricky from afar coming through the academy at Wigan and he was always a stand-out player and someone you heard about all the way through the junior programme as being a great talent and an imposing character.
“When I got to meet him, he was always a lovely bloke and made time for everyone. There was quite a lot talk on Monday morning about what a pleasant fella he was and our sympathy and thoughts are with him and his family.
“It’s a really sad moment because Ricky was taken far too young. He was held in really high esteem across Wigan and St Helens, I know that.”
Peet said he expects to know where Bevan French will be playing next season in the next fortnight, stating there was “no hard and fast” timescale but that “both parties are understanding of one another and want to get things done quickly”.
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