Rhinos name Reserves squad for Castleford clash

Leeds Rhinos have named the matchday squad for today’s Reserves clash with Castleford Tigers Reserves at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, kick off 2:30pm.

A number of players are unavailable for Leeds as the Castleford clash is on the same weekend as the first Academy Origin match at Widnes, as well as the first team’s match at Salford Red Devils, KO 3pm. Alfie Edgell, Kai Morgan, Jack Smith, Jake Higgins, Bailey Aldridge, Harrison Gilmore and Riley Lumb have all been called up to play for Chev Walker’s Yorkshire side, while Jack Sinfield and Max Simpson are included in Rohan Smith’s 21-man squad.

With those unavailable, nine players from within the club have been included in today’s lineup. Seven out of the nine featured last time out, when Chev Walker’s side claimed a 36-32 win over Hull KR at Stanningley. Prop Nathan Snee is a welcomed return after recovering from injury and he joins Joe Hird, Oli Field, Joe Gibbons and Mackenzie Turner in the starting thirteen, after the quartet featured in Cornwall’s last two games.

A number of players from around the Betfred Championship and League One are also involved as they look to gain extra game time. Seven players from cross city rivals Hunslet will make the short trip to Wheldon Road, including former Rhinos Academy winger Kiedan Hartley and half back Jack Mallinson. Aaron Jones-Bishop, brother of former Leeds winger Ben Jones-Bishop, Cameron Berry, Liam Carr, Jacob Beer and Charley Bodman also come into the Rhinos fold for the first time this season, while Featherstone Rovers’ Brandon Pickersgill joins up with the Rhinos and starts at full back.

Alongside Hunslet’s Bodman and Beer, Under-18s Academy back rower Billy Davies makes his second appearance for the Reserves this season. He came off the bench in the win over Hull KR and will do so again today. Tom Holroyd is also included on the bench as he recovers from an injury suffered in pre season.

The team in full is:

1. Brandon Pickersgill (Featherstone Rovers)
2. Kiedan Hartley (Hunslet RLFC)
3. Mekhi Bridgeman-Reaney – Available to Sponsor
4. Aaron Jones-Bishop (Hunslet RLFC)
5. Mackenzie Turner – Available to Sponsor
6. Oli Field sponsored by AME Accounting
7. Jack Mallinson (Hunslet RLFC)
8. Joe Hird (Captain) sponsored by Pickups Self Storage
9. Cameron Berry (Hunslet RLFC)
10. Nathan Snee – Available to Sponsor
11. Joe Gibbons – Available to Sponsor
12. Liam Carr (Hunslet RLFC)
13. Danny Salkeld sponsored by Easaway Drain Care
14. Tom Holroyd sponsored by West Riding Paper Services
15. Charley Bodman (Hunslet RLFC)
16. Jacob Beer (Hunslet RLFC)
17. Billy Davies – Available to Sponsor

To sponsor an Academy, Reserves or Scholarship player, please contact sales@therhinos.co.uk.