Tomorrow night's round five clash between the Rhinos and Saints sees Ash Handley go up against Tommy Makinson in an all-England battle on the wing.

Find out more about the duo and what to look out for here:

*All data is courtesy of OPTA.

Tale of the tape

Ash Handley

Age: 28

SL Debut: Leeds Rhinos vs London Broncos, 17th August 2014

Leeds Record: 197 appearances, 120 tries, 2 goals

2024 Record: 4 starts, 7 tries

Tommy Makinson 

Age: 32

SL Debut: St Helens vs Salford, 18th February 2011

St Helens Record: 319 appearances, 195 tries, 273 goals, 1 drop goal

2024 Record: 4 starts, 2 tries, 2 goals

2024 stats review

Headline stat

Over the course of the last three seasons (2022 to present) both Handley and Makinson have put up some of the biggest numbers in terms of carries and metres. Both players play a crucial role in getting their sides off their own try line and they are always a threat on the break – Rhinos fans have seen this with four of Handley’s tries this season. 

When comparing the pair against every winger to have played Super League in the last three years, Handley’s 2022 season sees him finish top in ball carries with 456, and second in metres behind Tom Johnstone’s 2023 with 3732.  This season, he has the most carries and metres out of any winger in the competition, plus his three offloads is second to London's Lee Kershaw.

Like Handley, Makinson’s 2022 season ranks as one of the winger’s best as he went on the lift the Grand Final trophy. 

2022 saw the winger make 647 metres more than 2023 from only 14 more carries, but compared to the rest of the league, 2023 saw him finish fourth in the metric, compared to eighth in 2022.

Tries

Handley’s hot start to 2024 is the best try-scoring start the winger has made to a Super League season since his debut in 2014. He has already made space between himself and next best Liam Marshall on five tries and looks to add to his tally against Saints, who he has scored 15 tries against in previous years.

The Leeds-born winger has breached 20 tries twice in his career in 2019 and 2020, the latter seeing him finish as the competition’s top try scorer.

Another wonder try from @Ahandley16 last night, it was certainly appreciated by his team mates on the bench - check out our Behind the Game feature https://t.co/b5tDDcmFFw pic.twitter.com/WMXwX4ntir
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) February 23, 2024

Makinson might not make the quickest scoring starts to a season, but once the winger hits form, he has previously put up high try scoring stats. Over the last decade, he has finished in the top 20 try scorers in Super League four times, topping the chart in 2019. In the last two seasons, he has finished third and fourth with 22 and 24 tries.

Buy tickets now and save £3!

Be at AMT Headingley next Friday night to see the Rhinos take on St Helens in round four of the Betfred Super League, kick off 8pm.

The match will see the Rhinos celebrate the life and career of Lewis Jones as two heavyweights of the Super League competition go head to head.

Ticket prices start at £25 for adults, £20 for concessions and £13 for juniors, with prices rising by £3 on matchdays.

To buy tickets go to tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0371 423 1315. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Tickets also available to purchase from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop at AMT Headingley Stadium (CLICK HERE to check opening hours before travelling).