As the end of the Reserves season approaches, Leeds Rhinos look to bolster their chances of a top-four finish against Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium this Saturday, kick off 2pm.

With as much as three games in hand on five of the seven teams above them, Tony Smith's side look to bounce back from the 30-0 loss to Huddersfield at Headingley towards the end of last month. The loss is the only blot on an almost-perfect season so far for the Rhinos, who were undefeated between February and the start of June with four wins and two draws. A positive for the club this season is that out of 40 players that have featured in Reserves games, only six have been from external clubs or Rugby Union. In comparison to last year, 26 out of 71 players that ran out for the Reserves were external. 

Smith has also be unafraid to give his Academy players the chance to continue their development, although he called upon first teamers Liam Tindall, Leon Ruan and Luke Hooley last time out against the Giants. Hooley is the second highest points scorer for the Reserves in 2023, behind Jack Sinfield who has five tries and 14 goals. The half back missed last year's defeat to Salford at Stanningley, although Mackenzie Turner and Ashton Robinson, who did feature, will be hoping to be on the winning side in 2023.

Salford finished last season just two points behind the Rhinos after winning five of their last six games. This season has proved tough for Stuart Wilkinson side though as they only have one win in eight games. That came against London Broncos in a 60-24 result, which ended a three-game losing streak to start the new season. Recently, top four sides St Helens, Wigan and Hull FC have defeated the Red Devils, but a tight contest against an under-manned Castleford side saw Wilkinson's side lose out 38-26 at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

A win this week would see Salford go level on points with Newcastle Thunder; a team the Red Devils face in one of their penultimate games of the season. A clash with Leigh comes between this weekend's game and hosting Thunder, although the Leopards haven't played a game this season. To close out the season, they face Huddersfield and Hull KR both on the road.

*Team news will be announced shortly.

More information

The Reserves game is set to be played on the Community Field at the AJ Bell Stadium for fans that are making the trip across.

Fans can also follow live score updates across the club's social platforms and highlights will be available at the start of next week.