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MATCH PREVIEW | Bulls next up for Rhinos U18s

Leeds Rhinos Under-18s Academy look to continue their unbeaten start to 2026 as Chev Walker's side travel to Dudley Hill ARLFC to take on Bradford Bulls on Friday night, kick off 7pm.

After a convincing win over Leigh Leopards in their first match since losing out in the 2025 Grand Final, the young Rhinos backed their performance up with a gutsy win over Castleford Tigers a fortnight ago, thanks largely to two interception tries by Tom Richardson in the second half.

The winger came up with two game-breaking plays to fend off a Tigers fightback at Stanningley, whilst Sonny Hetherington, Dacx Jones-Buchanan and Liam Watson added to their try hauls in 2026 as they found the try line to secure a 26-16 result against their Yorkshire rivals. It's fitting, therefore, that the Rhinos come up against another Yorkshire club this week as they clash with Bradford Bulls - seven days on from the first team beating the Bulls in Super League's Rivals Round.

Focusing on the last ten years, this fixture has been dominated by Leeds, who have only lost twice to the Bulls since 2016. The most recent loss came at the conclusion of 2024 when Harvey Duckworth's try with seven minutes to go sealed a win at Odsal for Bradford, but the Rhinos responded with two dominant displays in 2025, led by a five-try performance from Oscar Brown in a 80-0 home win.

Two rounds into the new season and the Bulls are one of four Academy sides still waiting for their first win in 2026. Jonathan Schofield's side were handed the toughest start to the year when they travelled to Victoria Park to lose out 48-14 at the hands of reigning Academy Champions Warrington Wolves, before a fightback against Wakefield came too late in round two. Mason Peach, Dillon Hodgson, Freddie Hunkin and Jack Ingham all crossed in a close contest with Trinity, but their tries came too late as Trinity held on for a 38-22 result.

A home meeting with the Rhinos offers Bradford their next chance for league points, before they travel to Wigan to take on the Warriors at the end of the month. Castleford and Hull KR await in May, by which time the team will have looked to add points to their tally if they want to make it into the top six when the season splits in July.

Last meeting

Hat tricks for Will Wilkinson and Zak Lloyd led the way as Leeds Rhinos secured a dominant 50-6 win over Bradford Bulls at Bartercard Odsal in the second meeting between the two sides in 2025.

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