With three matches to go in the 2023 Scholarship season, Leeds Rhinos clash with Yorkshire rivals Wakefield Trinity at Stanningley on Thursday night, kick off 7pm. 

2023 has continued to be a big year for the club's Under-16s, who have been unbeaten since February. Head coach Mark Butterill led his side to a 40-20 win against Huddersfield at Headingley last time out, adding to wins over Hull KR, London Broncos, Bradford Bulls and St Helens earlier in the season. This week's game is the first of two consecutive matches at Stanningley, as Warrington Wolves make the trip east on 12th July, before the young Rhinos finish their campaign at the hands of Newcastle Thunder with a trip to Kingston Park.

Trinity enter Thursday's fixture with two wins to their name in 2023. It's been a tough campaign for Wakefield, who came back from defeat against Hull FC to defeat Salford a week later. Losing out to Castleford and Wigan over Spring, Trinity bounced back at the start of May in a 30-10 performance against Hull KR before losing to Saints last time out.

A trip to London follows this week's meeting with the Rhinos, before Wakefield close their season out against the Wolves on home soil in July.

Team News

Thursday's clash against Wakefield sees head coach Butterill make twelve changes to the side that beat Huddersfield at Headingley last time out.

Butterill has backed his young players for this week's game as eleven out of the twelve changes see first-year players come into the 20-man squad. Stanningley's Luke Fagan and James Rowney, Hunslet's Mason Peach, Kings Cross Park's Tom Richardson and Oulton Raider Logan Staveley-Carr play their first minutes since the 92-0 win over London back in April, plus Shaw Cross Shark's Will Hunter is named among the starters.

Daniel Stelfox has come off the bench in recent weeks but gets his opportunity to show the coaching staff his abilities from kick off. Marcus Qareqare retains his place having missed only one game this year, whilst forward Presley Cassell remains the only player to get minutes in every Under-16s fixture.

In the forwards, Elliot Fox replaces Alex Cowley at hooker, and Zak Lloyd and Jacob Hardy return to the back row. Will Wilkinson also comes in for Lore Jones-Buchanan. This will be the first Under-16s game this year in which neither Lore nor Dacx will play.

The squad in full is:

1. Mason Peach - Available to Sponsor

2. Tom Richardson sponsored by Hebask 

3. Marcus Qareqare - Available to Sponsor

4. Daniel Stelfox - Available to Sponsor

5. Luke Fagan sponsored by Tudor International Freight Ltd

6. Will Hunter - Available to Sponsor

7. Harry Smith - Available to Sponsor

8. Joe Butterfield - Available to Sponsor

9. Elliott Fox sponsored by Electrogen Solutions

10. William Wilkinson sponsored by KSW

11. Zak Lloyd sponsored by Haibull

12. Jacob Stead sponsored by Embroidery InHouse

13. Jacob Hardy sponsored by Bennett's Butchers

14. Harvey Butterworth sponsored by Cars2

15. Tom Carter - Available to Sponsor

16. Logan Staveley-Carr - Available to Sponsor

17. Presley Cassell - Available to Sponsor

18. James Rowney sponsored by Aspect Building Solutions

19. Cobi Ellis - Available to Sponsor

20. Caleb Rhodes - Available to Sponsor

If you would like to sponsor a Scholarship, Academy, Women's Academy or Reserves player, please email sales.therhinos.co.uk.

More information

Tickets for Friday night's game is £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. Team sheets will be available for supporters on arrival.

Please note that this game will not be streamed, but highlights will be available afterwards.