23 Jun 2025

MATCH PREVIEW | Bulls prepare to take on Rhinos Academy this Thursday night

Leeds Rhinos Under-18s hope their impressive 2025 season continues on Thursday night as the club's Academy face off against Bradford Bulls for a second time in 2025 at Bartercard Odsal, kick off 7pm.

An 80-0 result against the Bulls at Stanningley back at the start of May pushed Chev Walker's side top of the Academy table as Oscar Brown recorded five tries as part of a 14-try blitz of their derby rivals. Since posting 50 points on Castleford in their third game of the season, the Rhinos haven't taken the foot off the gas as they recorded big scorelines against Huddersfield, Salford and Wakefield Trinity last time out thanks to hat tricks from Jacob Hardy against the Tigers and Red Devils, Marcus Qareqare against the Giants and Joe Diskin in the 70-0 result against Trinity.

Thursday has hopes of another strong performance like their 2023 win at Odsal, but many of the current Rhinos Academy were present for last year's 24-22 defeat at the hands of the Bulls - an affair they don't wish to repeat.

Jonathan Schofield's Bulls side currently sit tenth in the table coming into the second half of their season with two wins. They are one of four teams, along with Hull FC, Castleford and Wakefield, on four points and with strong performances in their final six games of the season, the Bulls could give themselves the chance of sneaking into the top four just in time for the semi finals.

Since losing out to the Rhinos, Bradford were well beaten by Hull KR, who recorded a 32-point win at Odsal, but were more fortunate against the Black and White side of Hull who suffered a 26-24 defeat at the hands of the Bulls. The next three games in particular will be crucial as Bradford take on Wakefield, Leigh and Huddersfield before testing themselves against St Helens and Wigan in the final two games of the season.