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Aaron Bower

Rohan Smith names six debutants in Leeds Rhinos squad for Super League opener

Leeds Rhinos could hand out debuts to six players in Thursday night's Super League opener at Warrington - but last year's Grand Finalists remain without a number of key players. Leeds kick off the season against Daryl Powell's Wolves, and a string of off-season recruits are included in Smith's first 21-man squad of the season.

Headline star Sam Lisone is named, while James McDonnell, Derrell Olpherts, Luis Roberts, Leon Ruan and Justin Sangare are also included, meaning it could be a new-look Leeds side which takes to the field on Thursday at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

But while it may be a new-look side, it will not be a full-strength one by some distance. Long-term injury victim Harry Newman remains sidelined, new signings Nene Macdonald and Luke Hooley are also unavailable while Mikolaj Oledzki continues his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. James Bentley is also unavailable, having missed all of Leeds' pre-season matches.

Read more: Bradford Bulls coach discusses Jack Walker injury setback after first defeat of season

Ruan could be in line for a Super League debut, having joined from League 1 side Doncaster in the off-season. Prop Sangare is believed to have impressed in his first pre-season as a Leeds player after joining from Toulouse, and he looks increasingly likely to secure a place in Smith's first 17.

The Rhinos face a Warrington side who themselves will hand out a number of debuts - though they are waiting to see how long they will be without Josh McGuire for, after he was hit with a Grade F charge of using unacceptable language. He will face an RFL hearing tonight (Tuesday).

Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad: Richie Myler, David Fusitu'a, Ash Handley, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Kruise Leeming, Zane Tetevano, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith, Jarrod O'Connor, Sam Lisone, Derrell Olpherts, Justin Sangare, Tom Holroyd, James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon, Sam Walters, Liam Tindall, Luis Roberts, James Donaldson, Leon Ruan.

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