Leeds Rhinos host the Castleford Tigers at Elland Road, home of Leeds United, hoping to go level on points at the top of the Super League table with St Helens.
SQUAD NEWS
Leeds name the same 19-man squad that inflicted a first loss of the season on St Helens last week.
Their 28-20 win at the Totally Wicked Stadium was their second in succession. Nevertheless, Brian McDermott- who celebrates his 200th league game at the helm- remains without Brett Ferres, Mitch Garbutt and Stevie Ward, all of whom remain injured.
Castleford’s only change to the 19-man squad is enforced, with loose-forward Jesse Sene-Lefao missing out with a knee injury.
He is replaced by winger Jy Hitchcox, with Daryl Powell’s side looking for a fourth triumph in a row.
Leeds 19-man squad:ย Golding, Briscoe, Watkins, Hall, Moon, Myler, Parcell, Singleton, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Dwyer, Delaney, Mullally, Handley, Ormondroyd, Walker, Smith, Oledzki, Walters.
Castleford 19-man squad:ย Clare, Cook, Ellis, Foster, Gale, Green, Hitchcox, Massey, McMeeken, McShane, Millington, Milner, Minikin, Moors, Roberts, Shenton, Springer, Trueman, Webster.
KEY BATTLE- Richie Myler v Luke Gale
The Tigers have endured a frustrating start to 2018, having played only four of their games due to adverse weather conditions over the last few weeks.
Nevertheless, Luke Gale will be instrumental for the visitors, who will want to get back into their rhythm from the get-go here.
The 29-year old played a pivotal role in everything that was good about the Tigers last year, and will hope to continue his good vein of form in front of a packed crowd.
In contrast, Richie Myler arrived in Yorkshire from the South of France to some groans and murmurs.
It was never going to be easy replacing Danny McGuire, yet Myler has won the Headingley faithful over with a series of consistently impressive performances.
The two half backs have made 58 attacking kicks between them; it seems that whichever one is able to take charge of territorial proceedings on Friday night will surely bring the two ladder points home for their side.
KEY STATS
The Rhinos 24-6 Grand Final win over Castleford in 2017 halted a run of eight wins in a row for the black-and-amber men.
Rhinos coach Brian McDermott will take charge of the Rhinos for the 200th time in this game, having taken over from Brian McClenan in 2010.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday March 23
Venue: Elland Road, Leeds
Kick-off: 19.45
Referee:ย Mr C. Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
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