18 May 2023

Hull FC next up for Rhinos Academy

Leeds Rhinos Under-18s Academy look to continue their positive run of form on Friday night as Tony Smith's side take on Hull FC at Stanningley, kick off 7pm.

Their ten try performance last time out against Castleford gave the young Rhinos their third win of the season and second in consecutive matches as they began to rise up the league rankings. Currently they sit fifth, behind Hull, but with a game in hand after their opening clash with Wakefield was postponed.

Smith can potentially name all six players that were selected for Yorkshire during the week. Neil Tchamambe, Fergus McCormack, Jack Smith and Leo Aliyu were all try scorers last time out against the Tigers, plus Joe Phillips has produced good performances in his last two games off the back of injury in 2022. Ben Littlewood hasn't played an Academy game since the trip to Newcastle but was a key part of last year's Academy Grand Final triumph.

Last time out against the black and whites, a five try performance saw the Rhinos come away from the east coast with an important two league points, and Friday's game has similar ramifications for two sides competing at the top of the Academy Championship again.

After appearing in last year's Academy semi finals, Hull FC have started this season strongly and currently sit in fourth place in the Academy Championship table. Michael Shenton's side started the season with wins in their first four matches against Bradford, Newcastle, London and derby rivals Hull KR, and only conceded only 28 points. Roman Dawson led the try scoring with nine tries, particularly running four tries past Thunder, whilst Ryan Westerman, Callum Shaw and Kye Armstrong have also started the season in red hot form with four tries each.

Last time out, the black and whites lost out to Wigan Warriors 32-14, despite leading at the break 10-0. Shenton hasn't been afraid to put his players into Reserves action either; Armstrong and Shaw in particular playing against Leeds at Headingley in April.

Team News

Head coach Tony Smith has been able to name a number of returning players ahead of this week's test against Hull FC.

All six players that were called up to Paul Anderson's Yorkshire Academy Origin side are in the extended Rhinos squad for Friday's game, including current leading Academy points scorer Jack Smith and leading try scorers Neil Tchamambe (five tries in 2023) and Fergus McCormack (four tries). Forwards Joe Phillips and Leo Aliyu can continue their run of consecutive appearances in recent matches, plus Ben Littlewood returns to the team for the first time since the opening game of the season against Newcastle.

First-year Academy players Kai Taylor-Smith and Riley Sunderland are in contention to play their first game of the season since moving up from the Scholarship in 2022. Taylor-Smith was the leading points scorer last year under Mark Butterill, whilst Sunderland impressed over a short spell, having come into the club midway through last year from Siddal.

Lewis Peacock and Jack Purtill are back after playing roles in the young Rhinos' 64-4 win over London, Purtill in particular scoring twice in the game. Declan Ementon, Kyden Frater and Tayler Stephenson all drop out. Frater was involved in last week's Reserves game against Wigan.

The extended team is:

Leo Aliyu

Freddie Brennan-Jones

Mason Corbett sponsored by UK Tank Services

Harrison Gilmore sponsored by Morley Ventilation

Bobby Hartley sponsored by Fab Gas

Jack Johnson sponsored by MACRONSTORE Wakefield

Ben Littlewood sponsored by GTD Painting and Property Maintenance

Fergus McCormack

Zach McSwiney sponsored by JNR Roofing Maintenance

Lewis Peacock

Joe Phillips