With both sides attempting to go two from two in the qualifiers, London Broncos host Super League champions in their bid to return to Super League. Here’s everything you need to know…
SQUAD NEWS
London Broncos
London come into this fixture with an unchanged 19-man squad who prevailed victorious away at Widnes last weekend. Danny Ward’s men ran out 21-20 winners after Jarrod Sammut produced a sublime drop goal in the final minute of the contest.
London come into the match in great form with no defeat since early June away at Toronto, and the mixture of experience and upcoming talent allowed them to put down a real intent during week one. London have seven former Super League players hoping to help return the club to the top flight.
London 19-man squad: Battye, Butler, Channing, Cunningham, Davis, Dixon, Evans, Harrison, Hellewell, Hindmarsh, Ioane, Kear, Pelissier, Pewhairangi, Pitts, Sammut, Spencer, Walker, Williams.
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds started their Super League qualifiers with a 48-22 home victory over Toulouse, although it came at a cost with Ryan Hall sustaining an ACL injury which has subsequently ruled him out of this fixture and the rest of the season. Dom Crosby also misses out as he begins a two-match suspension.
http://gty.im/913173118
Jack Walker and Stevie Ward return to the side with the latter returning from the concussion protocol. Last year’s champions have been unable to register an away success since a Challenge Cup tie against Widnes back in May and their last Super League away victory was at the end of April against Hull KR.
Leeds 19-man squad: Ablett, L Briscoe, T Briscoe, Cuthbertson, Dwyer, Ferres, Golding, Keinhorst, Jones-Buchanan, Moon, Mullally, Oledzki, Peteru, Myler, Singleton, Sutcliffe, Walker, Walters, Ward.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since London were relegated back in 2014 the sides have only met once, in this competition back in 2016. Leeds ran out 42-28 winners and nine of the squad that day are in their squad for this meeting, including Tom Briscoe who scored a hat trick in that meeting, while London have eight players from that match who still remain in contention for this fixture.
KEY BATTLE – Jarrod Sammut vs Richie Myler
The game could be won in the half-back battle between last week’s London match winner, Jarrod Sammut, and Leeds’ Richie Myler.
Sammut is crucial to London with his experience allowing him to lead his side around the field and he still is one of the best instinct players in the Championship.
http://gty.im/913166374
His opposite number Myler hasn’t had the same impact in regards to his kicking from deep, however he has been dangerous all season near the opposition’s line and the same will be expected in this affair.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 19th August
Venue: Trailfinders Sports Club
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Chris Kendall
