Leeds Rhinos Under-16s Scholarship play their penultimate home game of the season on Wednesday night as Mark Butterill's side take on Wigan Warriors at AMT Headingley, kick off 7pm.

The young Rhinos put their break in the season during May and June to good use as they came out firing on all cylinders to beat Wakefield Trinity 40-10 on the road last week - thanks in large to three tries from winger Bailey Hardy. It was Hardy's first tries of the season, plus skipper Brennan Townend also opened his account with a score at the DIY Kitchens Stadium as Butterill's side got back on track following their first defeat of the campaign against Huddersfield.

Having won four out of five games in 2025, the Rhinos look to finish strong as they host Wigan this week before heading to Castleford to meet the Tigers at the start of July. A final clash against St Helens on 23rd July is the last opportunity the second-year Under-16s players will get to impress the coaching staff before they hope to make the step into the Academy in 2026, whilst the first-year players get a chance to play extra minutes before returning to their community clubs full time later in the year.

Like Leeds, Wigan have also won four out of five games in 2025 - their most recent game saw them lose out at the hands of Warrington in a close 22-16 contest. Prior to that, the Warriors held a four game unbeaten run as they saw off St Helens, Hull KR, Castleford Tigers and Leigh Leopards before facing the Wolves last week.

They look forward to games against Leeds, Salford and Bradford before the season concludes at the end of July.

Team News

With three games remaining in the Scholarship season, head coach Butterill makes five changes for the visit of the Warriors to AMT Headingley.

Under-15s players Henry Brough, Archie Butler, Stan Marriott and Wade Smith made their returns to the 20-man squad after missing the win over Wakefield. Smith scored twice on his Scholarship debut against Bradford but has missed recent games through injury, whilst Butler and Marriott both return for their second appearances of the campaign. Brough came off the bench against Huddersfield at AMT Headingley at the start of May and is back in the lineup this week.

Alfie Steel comes into the second row having played four out of five games this year as he joins Dan Shaw. Sonny Hetherington, Noah Lunn, Jack Mears, Samuel Oldroyd, Robin Smith and Brennan Townend remain in the squad as the only players who have featured in every game for the Scholarship this year.

The team to take on Wigan is:

1. Sam Oldroyd sponsored by Pro-Tech Automotive

2. Liam Watson sponsored by Abzorb

3. Noah Sheriffe sponsored by A4 Barcodes

4. Sonny Hetherington - Available to Sponsor

5. Wade Smith sponsored by Rapid Skip Hire

6. Jack Mears sponsored by The Safety Consultants Company

7. Seth Marchant sponsored by Oak Electrical

8. Robin Smith - Available to Sponsor

9. Noah Lunn sponsored by Waterforce Property Services

10. Connor Mullins sponsored by BPVH

11. Dan Shaw sponsored by JPG

12. Alfie Steel sponsored by T&A Powering Maintenance 

13. Brennan Townend sponsored by Crossroads Truck and Bus

14. Connor Lawrie - Available to Sponsor

15. Ben Smith sponsored by Pivot

16. Will Mathers sponsored by Barhale

17. Henry Brough sponsored by BIGBOX

18. Joe Gill sponsored by Fitness Magpie

19. Stan Marriott - Available to Sponsor

20. Archie Butler sponsored by Pipetec Fabrications

To sponsor a Rhinos Scholarship, Reserves, Men's or Women's Academy player, contact our Sales team on sales@therhinos.co.uk

Ticket Information and Fan Information

Ticket prices for this game are:

Adults (aged 17 and over) - £5

Juniors (aged 16 and under) – FREE

Cash and Card payments available via Gate E (St Michael's Lane) from 6pm

Standing in Tetley's South Stand Terrace and unreserved seating in Tetley's South Stand Seats (excluding Press Box). Wheelchair accessible positions are available at the front of the Tetley's South Stand Terrace. This stand is along the side of the pitch and is undercover.

• AMT Headingley Stadium Map
• Leeds Rhinos have a zero-tolerance approach to fans who are in breach of the AMT Headingley Stadium Ground Regulations. Further information can be found here
• Fans are reminded that bags no larger than A4 are allowed into AMT Headingley Stadium
• AMT Headingley Stadium Search Policy
• Bags will be searched on arrival and fans may also be searched upon entry.
• What you can and cannot bring into AMT Headingley Stadium

Smoking

Smoking, vaping and e-cigarettes will be allowed in designated smoking areas at Gate D.

Wi-Fi

Super-fast free WIFI is available for all fans on match day! Just join the ‘Rhinos-FREE’ network to get started.

Re-entry policy