It may only be the opening round of the Super League season, but Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar already has one or two dilemmas to ponder over when it comes to his first team selection of 2022.
Stand-off Blake Austin is suspended, while Harry Newman is unlikely to be available after a minor hamstring injury suffered in pre-season. That means there could be a different look than what fans expected to Agar's first line-up of the new season. Here's our predicted line-up ahead of the game.
Fullback: Richie Myler
The obvious temptation is to put Jack Walker in at fullback and revert Myler to the halves in the absence of Austin. But Myler's form in pre-season has been outstanding, and you sense Agar will try to minimise the amount of upheaval in his spine.
Wing: David Fusitu'a
After coming through his pre-season test unscathed, it seems inevitable Leeds will unleash the winger on Super League at the earliest opportunity.
Centre: Tom Briscoe
Briscoe has made no secret of his desire to master the centre position for Leeds this season. With injuries elsewhere, he could well get an opportunity to showcase his talent from the off this weekend.
Centre: Alex Mellor
With Harry Newman unlikely to be fit and Liam Sutcliffe needed elsewhere, the door is ajar for someone to step in and make their mark in the centres.
It may not be his preferred position, but Mellor has shown in the past he can slot into the backline when required and with James Bentley now at the Rhinos, this could be Mellor's best chance of a starting berth on the opening weekend.
Wing: Ash Handley
Another safe and obvious pick. Handley is one of the Rhinos' most dependable performers.
Stand-off: Liam Sutcliffe
His versatility is to Leeds' benefit, and with Austin suspended, there are several avenues Agar could go down to fill the gap at stand-off.
But given how comfortable he is slotting in at half-back, and the fact some other choices would cause more upheaval, Sutcliffe seems the smart bet.
Scrum-half: Aidan Sezer
It goes without saying that Sutcliffe's partner in the halves, barring any late drama in training, will be the Australian.
Prop: Matt Prior
Leeds' pack almost picks itself this weekend, with the players occupying squad numbers eight to thirteen safe bets to start. That means Prior is a safe bet to start at prop.
Hooker: Kruise Leeming
While Agar could move Leeming into the halves given the success he enjoyed in that role last season, Leeds' new captain is perhaps better suited to his more familiar position of hooker this weekend. Not least because it helps keep the balance of the Rhinos' first-choice spine.
Prop: Mikolaj Oledzki
Prior will be joined in the front row by his partner in crime Oledzki, who is almost certainly set for a big year for both club and country.
Second-row: James Bentley
Bentley is the third debutant in our predicted Leeds starting line-up for this weekend, with the former St Helens forward likely to earn a starting berth for the opening round.
Second-row: Rhyse Martin
There are options for Agar to ponder in the back row. But given his reliable goal-kicking and his general performances for Leeds since joining the club, Martin should be retaining his spot in the side this weekend.
Loose-forward: Zane Tetevano
Leeds fans will be expecting big things from Tetevano this season.
Interchange
Brad Dwyer
With Leeming starting, expect Dwyer to take up his familiar role on the interchange bench, where he will be asked to provide a spark against his former club when spelling for the Leeds captain.
James Donaldson
One of Leeds' most dependable and reliable performers, no 17 feels complete these days without the presence of the Cumbrian forward.
Cameron Smith
Smith will fancy his chances of pushing for a starting spot at some point in 2022. But for now, he may have to be patient and bide his time.
Bodene Thompson
The last spot is by no means a guarantee, with Morgan Gannon among those pushing hard for a place in Agar's side for the opening weekend. But in a game of this magnitude, the veteran forward may just have the edge.
