New Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith will arrive at Headingley next week. The club has confirmed that the 40-year-old has received clearance and will land in the UK next Tuesday, May 3rd.
Chief executive Gary Hetherington told the press last week that Smith would hopefully be in attendance for Friday's game against Hull Kingston Rovers, with an initial expected arrival of Thursday confirmed. However, that won't be the case and Smith will now instead arrive next week when the Rhinos have a schedule without a weekend game due to their inactivity in the Challenge Cup.
It means Smith will miss the chance to go head-to-head with his uncle, Tony, who is coach of Friday's opponents. His first game will instead be against Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium on May 15th. There is hope that a number of first-teamers will be back and available for selection by then. Zane Tetevano and James Bentley will have served their latest suspensions and Blake Austin will be back in the swing of things after being named in the squad to face Hull KR.
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The Rhinos were only able to name a 20-man squad once again for Friday's game with the Robins, despite the arrival of Zak Hardaker on a short-term deal.
