{"id":125415,"date":"2025-09-09T15:16:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T15:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/125415\/"},"modified":"2025-09-09T15:16:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T15:16:09","slug":"leeds-rhinos-v-catalans-dragons-team-news-as-jake-connor-decison-made-amid-double-forward-boost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/125415\/","title":{"rendered":"Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons team news as Jake Connor decison made amid double forward boost"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Leeds Rhinos host Catalans Dragons on Thursday night in Super League and the team news is in, with a decision on Jake Connor made.<\/p>\n

The Man of Steel frontrunner left the field against Huddersfield Giants<\/a> due to a rib injury, however, it was confirmed that he did want to return.<\/p>\n

Rhinos coach Brad Arthur confirmed that they didn\u2019t bring him back on for precautionary reasons as he further explained that it was a suspected rib cartilage injury<\/a>, something that Connor would have a scan for.<\/p>\n

The Leeds coach also suggested that Connor \u201cmight be a week or might be all right\u201d, however, the decision has been made to rest the playmaker.<\/p>\n

Leeds have already wrapped up a top four spot but they could still finish second given they play Wigan Warriors next week, although they\u2019ve got a large points difference to make up so the Headingley crowd will be baying for points on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

Serious About Rugby League launch new platform ahead of Super League play-offs<\/a><\/p>\n

Leeds Rhinos team news<\/p>\n

With Leeds having made their decision to rest Connor, they\u2019ll likely look to Jack Sinfield to play in the halves with Jarrod O\u2019Connor another option.<\/p>\n

It was confirmed last week that co-captain Cam Smith was \u2018probably done for the season\u2019<\/a> whilst fellow co-captain Ash Handley missed out due to his groin injury. Handley misses out once again but there are two big boosts in the forward pack.<\/p>\n

Keenan Palasia (knee) and Tom Holroyd (wrist) both return with the latter having missed the past ten weeks. Max Simpson (HIA) also returns and he\u2019ll be in contention with Ned McCormack to play in the centres where Handley is absent. Young forwards Presley Cassell and Zak Lloyd drop out of the 21-man squad.<\/p>\n

Connor joins Handley and Alfie Edgell (foot), Tom Nicholson-Watton (foot), Ethan Clark-Wood (shoulder), Cameron Smith (back) and Maika Sivo (knee) on the sidelines, whilst Joe Shorrocks also serves the last game of his ban.<\/p>\n

Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad: Lachie Miller, Harry Newman, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Keenan Palasia, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Jarrod O\u2019Connor, Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Cooper Jenkins, Tom Holroyd, Jack Sinfield, Riley Lumb, Ben Littlewood, Ned McCormack, Max Simpson, Kallum Watkins, Chris Hankinson<\/p>\n

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur has named his 21 man squad to face Catalans Dragons this Thursday at AMT Headingley, kick off 8pm
More news here https:\/\/t.co\/RolHXXcSfR<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/y0GV2zE31P<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) September 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Catalans Dragons team news<\/p>\n

Despite beating Salford Red Devils last Thursday, it\u2019s been a torrid week for Catalans with two players handed bans and prop forward Franck Maria facing a disciplinary tribunal tonight where he will likely receive a hefty ban.<\/p>\n

Maria was sent off last week for his shot on Emmanuel Waine and he\u2019s been handed a Grade E charge<\/a>, likely carrying a multiple game ban. Alrix Da Costa and Tevita Pangai Jr were also handed one-game bans, whilst Hull FC loanee Denive Balmforth has been recalled<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A whopping eight changes have been made with the majority forced due to bans or recalls, however, there is experience being added in that Tommy Makinson and Luke Keary are two of those coming back.<\/p>\n

In total, Tariq Sims, Fouad Yaha, Julian Bousquet, Luke Keary, Tommy Makinson, Tanguy Zenon, and Leo Darrelatour return, whilst Alrix Da Costa, Franck Maria, Tevita Pangai Jr, Matthieu Laguerre, Lenny Marc, Giovanni Descalzi and Denive Balmforth. There is still no Oliver Partington.<\/p>\n

Catalans Dragons 21-man squad: Tommy Makinson, Arthur Romano, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Benjamin Garcia, Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Bayley Sironen, Cesar Rouge, Paul Seguier, Jordan Dezaria, Theo Fages, Foud Yaha, Tanguy Zenon, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Clement Martin, Leo Darrelatour, Ugo Tison<\/p>\n

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Le groupe des Dragons pour le d\u00e9placement \u00e0 @leedsrhinos<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 https:\/\/t.co\/Eef5ARRTeR<\/a>
\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 https:\/\/t.co\/Js3gTPuZDq<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LgJVFwrXJ2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) September 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

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