Leeds Rhinos Under-18s face a stern test this Friday night, as Chev Walker's side come up against St Helens Under-18s at Stanningley in what is always a highlight fixture in an Academy season, kick off 7pm.

Walker and the young Rhinos have had a week to develop and learn after suffering a tough 20-12 loss at the hands of Hull KR last time. Despite a valiant effort on home soil, tries from two of the side's leading scorers Wade White and Jacob Tooala weren't enough to add to a winning streak that had tied Leeds at the top of the Academy standings as Hull KR came away with an important two points that keep them in the fight for a place in the top six. Nevertheless, a Leeds squad that included six first-year players (Tooala, Bailey Hardy, Sonny Hetherington, Noah Lunn, Connor Lawrie and Alfie Steel) plus debutant rugby union convert Theo Roberts last time out has gained new experiences that will prove important and can be taken forward both into this week's game as well as the rest of the season.

No Leeds player made more metres than Roberts against the Robins as the full back got his first taste of action after a successful trial with the team, plus hooker Lunn got extensive experience handling the game from dummy half almost as a starter, after the side lost starting nine Jack Mears to a HIA in the opening minutes. A young outside back corps continued to impress, led by hard carries by Tooala, Sonny Hetherington and Bailey Hardy, plus the forward pack gave Steel and Lawrie a chance to grab extra minutes in only their third academy appearances.

Friday's game is the start of a testing spell for the club as games against Saints, Warrington, Wakefield and Wigan are scheduled, giving Leeds the chance to test themselves against some of the best rising talent in the country. 

Saints arrive in Leeds as they also look to get back to winning ways following a defeat to Castleford last time out. In Academy Head Coach Derek Traynor's last season before he retires, the club have two wins from six games so far against Wakefield and Huddersfield - as well as a draw against Hull KR. They take on the Rhinos for the first time since last year's semi-final defeat, so will be out for a winning result on this week's trip before facing Hull, Leigh and Bradford until the end of July.

Watch live

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Last meeting

The Rhinos booked their place in the Under-18s Academy Grand Final in their last clash with St Helens as tries from Oscar Brown, Dacx Jones-Buchanan, Dan Stelfox and Marcus Qareqare.

Take a look at the highlights:

Recent Form

Rhinos

Lost 20-12 vs Hull KR

Won 34-6 vs Huddersfield Giants

Won 22-16 vs Hull FC

Saints

Lost 38-22 vs Castleford Tigers

Won 28-26 vs Wakefield Trinity

Lost 30-18 vs Wigan Warriors

This week's games

Bradford Bulls vs Hull FC

Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens

Castleford Tigers vs Warrington Wolves

Leigh Leopards vs Wigan Warriors

Hull KR vs Wakefield Trinity

Ticket Information

Entry to the game is priced at £5 adults, £3 concessions and free for Under-16s.

Fans are reminded when parking at Stanningley to be courteous to the surrounding residents and use either the main car park or large car park on entrance to the ground.