With the Academy season approaching its climax, this week's round of fixtures sees last year's Academy Grand Finalists Leeds Rhinos and St Helens go head to head at the Totally Wicked Stadium, kick off 12pm.

The young Rhinos return to the stadium where they lifted the Grand Final trophy in September 2022 looking for an important win to keep their hopes of a top four spot alive. Having lost to Hull KR last time out at Headingley in the wind and rain, Tony Smith's side find themselves in fifth place with eight points, which is ten behind St Helens at the top of the table and six points behind Hull FC in the fourth and final play off spot.

Having picked up losses at the hands of the Robins, Warrington Wolves and Hull FC, the young Rhinos have continued to develop under the watchful eye of head coach Tony Smith, with first year- Academy players Harry Taylor, Fergus McCormack, Bobby Hartley and Mason Corbett in particular playing a large amount of games despite being some of the youngest in the squad. The next month will be crucial as the rearranged fixture against Wakefield, who are also eying up Hull in fourth, and home clash with Wigan Warriors comes either side of a trip to Huddersfield, a side that beat Leeds earlier in the campaign. 

Saints have carried through their form from last year as Derek Traynor's side have won all nine of their matches so far this year. The Red Vee have been led by the try scoring of Will Roberts and Owen Dagnall this season, plus England Academy captain Jonny Vaughan is one of five internationals that played against France earlier this year.

This week's fixture is the final game under the new RFL law modifications trial. Following on from the first trial weekend, which kicked off with Leeds win over Bradford at Odsal, research from the RFL and Leeds Beckett University will continue as they quantify head impact and acceleration exposures in the sport with the aim of increasing understanding and reducing future risk. For more information on the law changes, click here.

More information

Entry on Saturday is £5 Adults, £3 Concessions, £2 Juniors. There will also be live score updates across the club's social channels.