The 2025 Scholarship season comes to an end for Leeds Rhinos on Wednesday night as Mark Butterill's side hosts St Helens at AMT Headingley, kick off 7pm.

A convincing 70-10 win over Castleford Tigers last time out gave the young Rhinos their fifth win of the campaign thanks to 13 tries, including two for both Alfie Quinn and Liam Watson. It was the side's highest win of the year, eclipsing te 66-0 result over Leigh back in April, as the young Rhinos added to recent results over Wakefield and Wigan.

Aside from a home loss to Huddersfield in May, it has been another successful season for the Under-16s, as they've produced standout performances since March, when they beat Hull FC 42-22, before adding results over Bradford and Leigh. Sonny Hetherington has been a standout with eight tries for Butterill's side, plus Jack Mears and Noah Sheriffe have also enjoyed strong seasons in blue and amber as the side's leading try scorers. Seth Marchant's goal kicking has also seen the half back leading the points tally for the club as he's hit the half century with 23 goals and a try in 2025.

Saints come into the contest on the back of a 40-14 defeat to Hull FC on home soil earlier this month as they look to finish on a high.

An inconsistent season has seen Phil Smith's side win three out of seven games in 2025, starting off with a 34-16 defeat to Wigan. They responded with wins against Leigh and Bradford to get their season up and running before Warrington inflicted a 26-10 defeat in May. A 60-6 win over Salford was their last win in the competition as Hull KR and Hull FC have both beaten in the Red Vee in their last two matches. 

After losing their last two Scholarship meetings with Leeds, St Helens can get a first win since March 2022 when they arrive at AMT Headingley this week.

Team News

Head coach Butterill makes six changes to the team that beat Castleford last time out.

Sheriffe has a chance to add to his try tally as he comes back into the centres, plus Jack Smith makes his first appearance since May as he comes onto the wing. It is Smith's third different position of the year after playing at full back and half back during the start of the season. 

First year Scholars Henry Brough, Dillon Eshun and Alex Newell come onto the bench as they have the opportunity to finish the year on a high, plus Ryan Hosier is also named amongst the substitutes for his fifth appearance of 2025.

The team in full is:

1. Liam Watson sponsored by Abzorb

2. Sam Oldroyd sponsored by Pro-Tech Automotive 

3. Noah Sheriffe sponsored by A4 Barcodes

4. Sonny Hetherington - Available to Sponsor

5. Jack Smith sponsored by Mick Kielty

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 Lawrie - Available to Sponsor

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. Henry Brough sponsored by BIGBOX

15. Ben Smith sponsored by Pivot

16. Dillon Eshun sponsored Complex Access Solutions

17. Ryan Hosier sponsored by NHU

18. Ellis Johnson sponsored by PS Welding and Engineering

19. Alex Newell - Available to Sponsor

20. Will Mathers sponsored by Barhale

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

Ticket Information