Leeds Rhinos face Huddersfield Giants in crucial Yorkshire derby

A new chapter in the Yorkshire derby opens as Leeds Rhinos face Huddersfield Giants at Headingley.

The two sides come into the game off the back of mixed results. Leeds finally got back to winning ways against Leigh Centurions after back to back defeats whilst Huddersfield failed to make it four wins in a row as they lost against Richard Marshall’s Salford Red Devils.

Leeds did come out of their game against Leigh with injures to Luke Gale and Konrad Hurrell, which added to a ridiculously long list in the physio room for the Rhinos. However, youth served the Rhinos well as they produced the goods at Leigh Sports Village and blew the Centurions away, especially in the last 10 minutes of the game.

As for the Giants, they have really turned up in the last few weeks, picking up wins against the likes of Wakefield Trinity, Castleford Tigers and Hull FC. Ian Watson’s rejuvenated side were on course for a fourth win in a row as they led against Salford before Watson’s former side came back to win 18-12 at the AJ Bell Stadium.

As for team news, Leeds’ Rhyse Martin will miss Thursday’s game due to a one-game suspension with a Dangerous Contact Grade B, one he will not appeal. Luke Gale misses out after a knee injury at Leigh which is a grade three injury, whilst Hurrell makes the squad but remains a doubt with a foot injury as Richard Agar revealed in his pre-match press conference that he would be in a ‘boot for four to six weeks’.

However, there is some good news for the Rhinos as King Vuniyayawa and Callum McLelland are set to return as they complete their HIA return to play protocols.

As for the visitors, Will Pryce is named as he lines up for another game for the Giants and has been a real bright spark for Huddersfield this season.

Ian Watson also announces a return to the squad for Lee Gaskell who returns to the squad in time for the highly anticipated derby.

It’ll be very interesting to see who comes out on top across all the derbies this weekend, but with Leeds in the top six with not long of the season to go, this one will be a must-win for the Rhinos.

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