Saturday afternoon sees Leeds Rhinos Under-18s head east to take on Hull FC Under-18s in the Academy Championship at the University of Hull ahead of the first teams clashing in the Betfred Super League, kick off 12pm.

Tony Smith's Rhinos side enter this weekend's fixture looking to claim their first win of the campaign. A defeat last time out to Wigan Warriors at home gave the Rhinos their third loss of the campaign, but with a host of young players (including the likes of Marcus Qareqare, Jayemm Oladipupo and Harry Smith) having the opportunity to get plenty of minutes under their belts in their first Academy season, the squad are learning some tough but important lessons that will benefit the season ahead and their careers.

15 out of 17 players in their first season in the Under-18s have featured for Smith so far this campaign, eight of which have played all three games so far. Presley Cassell has impressed leading the forward pack, whilst winger Dax Millington is the side's joint top try scorer with two tries along with Oladipupo, Jacob Stead and Joe Phillips. The Wigan game also gave Lore Jones-Buchanan his first experience of Academy rugby after the Stanningley product made the step up from the club's Scholarship side in 2023. 

After reaching the semi final stage of the Academy competition in the last two seasons, Hull FC have started this season with two wins from their opening three games as they hope to go a step further in 2024.

Although they were handed a tough test against Warrington in a 38-16 loss in their first round of the season, Francis Cummins' side reacted by defeating Hull KR 28-8 in the derby clash over Easter before outscoring Huddersfield 42-24 in mid-April. The results put the black and whites up to joint second in the Academy table, two points behind leaders Castleford.

After taking on the Rhinos this weekend, Hull face Bradford on the road before taking on the Tigers at the end of May in what could be an important game for the season.

Last meeting

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