Leeds Rhinos head into Saturday’s game at bottom club Toulouse Olympique knowing they simply must keep on winning if they are to make the play-offs. Last weekend’s impressive 34-20 Magic Weekend victory over Castleford Tigers gave their top-six hopes another major boost and made it four wins from seven under Rohan Smith.
But with players coming and going from Headingley and plenty of uncertainty in the air, overcoming Sylvain Houles’ side will be no easy for the understrength Rhinos. Here, Leeds Live assesses a number of talking points surrounding Smith’s squad as they prepare to do battle in France’s fourth-largest city.
Serious test of Leeds’ squad depth and play-off pedigree
The Rhinos are bidding to win a third successive Super League game for the first time this season. It says much for their inconsistency during a campaign which saw Richard Agar throw in the towel after just six games.
Read more: Leeds Rhinos talking points: Depth issue, contract uncertainty and Toulouse test
Leeds have not been perfect since Smith arrived in May, but they have certainly been more pleasing on the eye. Their last two games – a 62-16 demolition of Hull FC and the Magic Weekend 34-20 win over Castleford – have underlined the potential within Smith’s squad. But if they cannot overcome a Toulouse side who have been bottom of the table all season, can Leeds really consider themselves genuine play-off contenders?
Uncertainty in the air over players’ future
Will Zak Hardaker be given a contract to stay at Leeds Rhinos beyond this season? If that happens, will Jack Walker be allowed to join Hull FC on a permanent basis?
Could Liam Sutcliffe, a fine servant to the Rhinos during his career, also be heading for pastures new? Is Brad Dwyer a certainty to be playing away from Headingley next season?
There are a number of players within Smith’s squad with question marks over their future at Leeds. Throw in the fact that the Rhinos this week tried to sign Oliver Gildart and it all points to a wind of change sweeping through Headingley.
It is to be hoped that does not impact on the recent momentum that the Rhinos have built in putting themselves in a strong position to challenge for a top-six finish.
Could it be Jack Sinfield’s time to shine again?
The 17-year-old, the son of legendary former Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield, made his debut for the Rhinos in the Easter Monday defeat at Castleford Tigers. He did not look out of place either, kicking intelligently and showing glimpses of the talent which have seen him earmarked for a bright future in the game.
Chances beyond that have been understandably fleeting – Sinfield has made just three first-team appearances so far this term – but this weekend could be his time to shine again. Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer are both absent through injury, could the teenager be handed a starting role against Toulouse?
Big chance for debutant Yusuf Aydin to make his mark
Leeds are missing Matt Prior, Zane Tetevano, Tom Holroyd and Muizz Mustapha through suspension, leaving the Rhinos short of pack options for the Toulouse clash. The 21-year-old Aydin has arrived from Wakefield on a two-week loan deal and is set to feature in France this weekend.
With conditions set to be baking hot at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, Aydin will look to make his mark against a Toulouse pack featuring a player who seems certain to be wearing the blue and amber of Leeds next season. Rugby League Live has reported how the Rhinos have struck a deal for Olympique prop Justin Sangare, so it should be some scrap in the middle of the park.
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