Key Points
- Key Returns: Prop Tom Holroyd and centre Jack Bird have been officially recalled to the Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad for Thursday’s heavyweight Betfred Super League clash.
- Injury Updates: Holroyd returns after missing the 52-0 victory over Huddersfield Giants due to a back injury, while Bird is back in contention following a three-week layoff from minor knee surgery.
- Squad Dropouts: Uncapped youngsters Zak Lloyd and Jacob Hardy have dropped out of the initial selection to make room for the returning senior figures.
- Key Absences: Australian full-back Lachie Miller remains unavailable as he serves the second match of a three-game suspension.
- Opponent Status: St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has made two forced adjustments, losing prop Noah Stephens to a failed Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and half-back Jackson Hastings to a two-match disciplinary ban. Youngsters George Whitby and Alfie Sinclair have been called up in their place.
- High Stakes: League leaders Leeds Rhinos sit two points clear at the top of the table, whilst St Helens look to bounce back from a loss against Castleford Tigers and level themselves on competition points.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) June 2, 2026 – Leeds Rhinos have received a major dual selection boost with first-choice performers Tom Holroyd and Jack Bird recalled to the initial 21-man squad ahead of Thursday’s blockbuster Betfred Super League Round 13 clash against third-placed St Helens at AMT Headingley Stadium.
As reported by Callum Walker of Total Rugby League, the return of the senior duo significantly bolsters the West Yorkshire outfit as they look to defend their position at the summit of the competition table. Prop forward Holroyd is back in the mix after a nagging back problem kept him sidelined during the Rhinos’ comprehensive 52-0 destruction of Huddersfield Giants a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, international centre Jack Bird has successfully completed his rehabilitation program following minor knee surgery three weeks ago, missing his side’s last two competitive outings but recovering in time for this week’s heavyweight encounter.
To accommodate the return of these seasoned first-team regular options, developing youngsters Zak Lloyd and Jacob Hardy—both of whom are still awaiting their senior first-team debuts for the club—have dropped out of the 21-man selection.
However, the Rhinos remain without the services of dynamic full-back Lachie Miller, who is set to serve the second match of his enforced three-game disciplinary suspension.
Which Selection Changes Have Been Confirmed for Both Squads?
The squad announcements have forced both coaching staff rooms into notable structural reshuffles. According to a digital publication by the St Helens Star sports desk, St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has been forced into two major changes of his own following a frustrating defeat against Castleford Tigers before the recent Challenge Cup break.
The Merseyside club will travel to Headingley without rising prop Noah Stephens, who has been officially stood down under mandatory concussion protocols after failing an in-game Head Injury Assessment (HIA) at Castleford.
Furthermore, influential playmaker Jackson Hastings is unavailable after being hit with a two-match penalty notice by the Rugby Football League’s Match Review Panel, meaning he will miss not only this Thursday’s trip to Leeds but also next week’s home game against Warrington Wolves.
In response to these absences, Rowley has drafted highly rated youngsters George Whitby and Alfie Sinclair into his 21-man contingent.
As further detailed by the St Helens Star reporting team, half-back Whitby returns to the senior fold after a highly impressive short-term loan stint with Salford Red Devils, where he guided them to a remarkable comeback victory over Halifax Panthers, while forward Sinclair returns after gaining valuable senior minutes on loan at Whitehaven.
How Do the Teams Line Up for Thursday’s Match?
The official 21-man squad listings reveal the exact personnel available to both coaches for the Round 13 curtain-raiser.
As distributed by club media channels, the Leeds Rhinos squad comprises:
Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Riley Lumb, and Danny Levi.
As confirmed via an official statement on the St Helens Club Website, the St Helens 21-man squad consists of:
Jack Welsby, Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Deon Cross, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Curtis Sironen, Shane Wright, David Klemmer, George Delaney, Matt Whitley, George Whitby, Lewis Murphy, Joe Shorrocks, Owen Dagnall, Jake Davies, Alfie Sinclair, and Tom Humphreys.
Background of the Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens Rivalry
The fixture on Thursday evening represents the latest chapter in one of modern rugby league’s most storied and fiercely contested rivalries. Entering Round 13 of the 2026 Betfred Super League season, Leeds Rhinos sit at the peak of the table, holding a narrow two-point advantage over their near rivals.
The match carries significant emotional baggage for the Yorkshire club. In an official match preview published on the St Helens Club Website, club historians noted that Leeds will be highly motivated to extract a measure of sporting revenge following the heartbreaking conclusion to their last meeting in September 2025. During that high-stakes Super League Eliminator Play-Off match at Headingley, Leeds appeared on the verge of victory before St Helens produced a stunning, last-second length-of-the-field play.
Back-rower Shane Wright crossed the try line with the final play of the match to secure an improbable 16-14 win, knocking the Rhinos out of the premiership race in front of their own supporters.
While Leeds entered the recent break on the back of a statement 52-0 victory over Huddersfield, St Helens travel across the Pennines looking to recalibrate. Prior to their slip-up against Castleford Tigers, Paul Rowley’s men had been on a formidable five-match winning streak, solidifying their position as genuine title contenders alongside the resurgent Rhinos.
Prediction and Implications for Super League Supporters and Fantasy Managers
This development is poised to have a direct, tangible impact on Super League supporters, match-going fans, and fantasy sports managers alike.
For the general rugby league audience, the return of Tom Holroyd and Jack Bird elevates the physical stakes of this fixture, ensuring that Leeds field a near full-strength pack and outside back line capable of combatting the renowned size of the St Helens forward line, which features international powerhouses Alex Walmsley and David Klemmer. The absence of Jackson Hastings significantly disrupts St Helens’ creative spine, likely forcing Jonny Lomax or Tristan Sailor into a more prominent orchestrating role, which tactical analysts expect will alter the speed and direction of the Saints’ attacking shift plays.
