Leeds Rhinos Squad Named For Hull KR Clash Headingley 2026

Key Points

• England international prop Tom Holroyd has been cleared to return to action for Leeds Rhinos after missing four consecutive matches due to a persistent back injury.
• Head Coach Brad Arthur has finalized his 21-man squad for this Friday’s Betfred Super League fixture against Hull KR at AMT Headingley, scheduled for an 8:00 pm kick-off.
• The sole modification to the 21-man lineup from the previous round features the inclusion of young outside back Riley Lumb, who replaces academy product Fergie McCormack. Rugby League Books
• The match marks Leeds Rhinos’ Annual Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness game, dedicated to honoring the legacy of the late club icon Rob Burrow CBE.
• Rob Burrow’s children—Macy, Maya, and Jackson—will officially present the match ball on the pitch immediately prior to kick-off, with several former teammates also in attendance.

Leeds Rhinos (The Leeds Times) June 24, 2026 – Will the return of England international prop Tom Holroyd provide Leeds Rhinos with the necessary front-row enforcement to overcome a formidable Hull KR side at AMT Headingley this Friday? Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur confirmed his 21-man selection on Wednesday, establishing that Holroyd has fully recovered from a back injury that sidelined him for the past four games. The highly anticipated fixture, kicking off at 8:00 pm, stands as a critical junction in the Super League table, while simultaneously serving as the club’s deeply significant Annual MND Awareness game to pay tribute to the legendary Rob Burrow.

Who Is Included in the Leeds Rhinos 21-Man Squad to Face Hull KR?

As officially confirmed by the communications department of Leeds Rhinos, Brad Arthur has maintained a highly settled group, introducing only a single change to the 21-man squad that was prepared for the previous round of action. The squad list features a mix of international experience and emerging domestic talent.

The complete 21-man squad includes:

1. Lachie Miller
2. Maika Sivo
3. Harry Newman
4. Ash Handley (C)
5. Ryan Hall
6. Brodie Croft
7. Jake Connor
8. Mikolaj Oledzki
9. Jarrod O’Connor
10. Tom Holroyd
11. Kallum Watkins (VC)
12. James McDonnell
13. Keenan Palasia
14. Chris Hankinson
15. Cooper Jenkins
16. Cameron Smith
17. Presley Cassell
18. Riley Lumb
19. Danny Levi
20. Tom Nicholson-Watton
21. Jack Bird

Why Did Riley Lumb Replace Fergie McCormack in the Lineup?

The lone tactical adjustment made by Brad Arthur involves young outside back Riley Lumb entering the 21-man bracket in place of halfback/fullback Fergie McCormack. As documented by Aaron Bower of Love Rugby League, Arthur previously noted that younger players like McCormack are undergoing a developmental process that involves balancing periods on the field with essential recovery and tactical training away from the intense weekly pressure of top-flight rugby league.

McCormack, who recently made his top-tier debut during a period when Steve Prescott Man of Steel contender Lachie Miller was serving a suspension, steps aside to allow the fit-again Lumb to reinforce the outside back and three-quarter options.

How Significant Is Tom Holroyd’s Return From a Back Injury?

The availability of Tom Holroyd provides a major physical boost to the Leeds forward pack. As reported by Phil Caplan of League Express, the heavy-hitting prop forward had been nearing fitness prior to the recent rounds but was held back to guarantee a complete recovery under the club’s medical protocols.

Holroyd’s ability to generate post-contact meters and solidify the middle unit will be vital against an aggressive Hull KR pack.

How Will Leeds Rhinos Honor Rob Burrow During the Annual MND Awareness Game?

The fixture against Hull KR carries immense emotional weight for the West Yorkshire club and the wider rugby league community, operating as the official Annual MND Awareness game.

As outlined by the club’s official event itinerary, the pre-match ceremonies will firmly focus on fundraising and celebrating the life of Rob Burrow, who passed away following a courageous battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

What Special Ceremonies Are Scheduled Before Kick-Off?

Before the players take the field, several former teammates of Rob Burrow, who shared the pitch with him during the club’s historic Golden Era, will gather on the turf of AMT Headingley to stand in solidarity with the Burrow family and the MND community.

In a poignant moment designed to honor their father’s lasting impact, Rob and Lindsey Burrow’s children—Macy, Maya, and Jackson—will carry the official match ball onto the field immediately before the 8:00 pm kick-off. The club has encouraged spectators to arrive early to support the matchday fundraising initiatives aimed at combatting MND.

What Is the Background of This Particular Development?

The structural context surrounding this fixture is defined by a highly competitive Super League table and a period of tactical transition under Head Coach Brad Arthur. Arthur took charge of the Rhinos with the clear mandate of restoring defensive consistency and securing a top-four playoff position.

Prior to this round, Leeds Rhinos sat at the summit of the Super League table with 24 points, closely followed by Warrington Wolves on 22 points, and both Hull KR and Wigan Warriors locked at 20 points each.

Leeds enters this game on the back of mixed but resilient form. The squad registered an authoritative 52-0 victory against Huddersfield Giants at AMT Headingley, showcasing their offensive capabilities under Arthur’s evolving systems.

In that fixture, halfback Brodie Croft claimed the maximum Albert Goldthorpe points with an influential display, while international winger Ryan Hall continued his pursuit of historical milestones, moving closer to 250 tries for the Rhinos.

The integration of mid-season signings like Jake Connor and Jack Bird has further altered the squad’s dynamics, creating intense competition for starting positions across the backline and back row, particularly between England international Harry Newman and the versatile Bird.

On the other side of the ledger, Hull KR arrives at Headingley as one of the most clinical teams in the competition. Led by Willie Peters, the Robins have established a reputation for tactical discipline and a powerful completion rate.

Hull KR recently secured a convincing 38-6 victory over York to steady their top-four ambitions, reinforced by the return of forward Sauaso Sue from a previous disciplinary suspension. The historical narrative between Leeds and Hull KR has intensified over recent campaigns, with both clubs frequently competing directly for crucial playoff spots, making this round a vital litmus test for their respective seasonal objectives.

What Is the Prediction for This Match and How Can It Affect the Audience?

This development directly affects the immediate competitive outlook for Super League supporters, club members, and fantasy rugby league participants. Given the return of Tom Holroyd, Leeds Rhinos possess a significantly heavier interchange bench, which allows them to better match the high-intensity physical workload that Hull KR typically imposes during the opening twenty minutes of each half.

For the Leeds Rhinos audience, a victory in this emotionally charged fixture would solidify their position at the top of the table, validating Brad Arthur’s mid-season structural overhauls and providing a fitting tribute on a night dedicated to MND awareness. Conversely, an analytical look at the tactical match-up suggests a remarkably close contest.

Hull KR’s defensive resilience and their ability to restrict offloads could frustrate the Rhinos’ expansive passing game, which relies heavily on the creativity of Brodie Croft and the positioning of fullback Lachie Miller.

The match is predicted to be decided by minor margins in discipline and territorial control. If Holroyd and Mikolaj Oledzki can successfully anchor the central corridor against Hull KR’s pack, Leeds will likely find the space required to unleash outside backs Ash Handley and Maika Sivo.

However, should Hull KR successfully dictate the speed of the play-the-ball, the visitors possess the structural precision to capitalize on any defensive lapses. For the broader Super League audience, the outcome of this clash will fundamentally reshape the top-four landscape, potentially compressing the gap between the leading teams to a single competition point as the league approaches its crucial final third.