{"id":163676,"date":"2025-09-27T11:25:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T11:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/163676\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T11:25:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T11:25:10","slug":"leeds-rhinos-v-st-helens-line-ups-predicted-as-paul-wellens-makes-biggest-spine-call-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/163676\/","title":{"rendered":"Leeds Rhinos v St Helens line-ups predicted as Paul Wellens makes biggest spine call of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Leeds Rhinos host St Helens on Saturday night as play-off rugby league returns to Headingley and the predicted teams are in.<\/p>\n

Both coaches have named their 21-man squads<\/a> for the clash including a huge number of returnees in each side, with Leeds having a quadruple injury boost whilst Saints have recalled their rested stars.<\/p>\n

St Helens only just managed to hold off Castleford in Round 27 when they made major changes but they opted for a full-strength spine of Sailor at full-back along with Welsby and Lomax in the halves. All eyes will be on whether Paul Wellens sticks or twists for this knock-out game.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the first play-off game at Headingley since 2017 so it will be a massive occasion with pressure on both sides and we\u2019ve had a look at how each team could line up.<\/p>\n

Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our\u00a0YouTube channel here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Predicted Leeds Rhinos team<\/p>\n

Brad Arthur welcomes back four key players and they\u2019re all expected to slot straight in with Lachie Miller (calf), Ryan Hall (ribs), Ash Handley (groin) and Jake Connor (ribs) all named to the 21-man squad.<\/p>\n

Chris Hankinson could move back to the wing meaning Max Simpson will likely miss out. Ever-presents Sam Lisone, James McDonnell and Harry Newman<\/a> all feature with Lisone set for impact off the bench, as he has done in each of the previous 27 rounds.<\/p>\n

He might be joined on the bench by fellow forwards Kallum Watkins, James Bentley and Tom Holroyd with Joe Shorrocks and Presley Cassell both unlucky to miss out.<\/p>\n

Predicted Leeds Rhinos XIII: Lachie Miller; Chris Hankinson, Ash Handley, Harry Newman, Ryan Hall; Brodie Croft, Jake Connor; Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O\u2019Connor, Cooper Jenkins; James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon, Keenan Palasia<\/p>\n

Interchanges: Kallum Watkins, James Bentley, Sam Lisone, Tom Holroyd<\/p>\n

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur has named his 21 man squad for this Saturday\u2019s Betfred Super League play off clash with St Helens at AMT Headingley, kick off 8pm
Book your ticket now at https:\/\/t.co\/5Ly9s1IdTg<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6DD0j6Abdi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) September 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Predicted St Helens team<\/p>\n

Paul Wellens has made a host of changes after resting plenty for the Round 27 win over Castleford Tigers. He also welcomes back George Delaney who had missed out through suspension, with Lewis Murphy (quad) the only omission.<\/p>\n

Another man who picked up an injury but has been named is Kyle Feldt with the winger suffering back spasms in that win over Cas. Speaking mid-week, Paul Wellens confirmed that the Australian is making \u2018positive improvements\u2019<\/a> so he should be fit to feature alongside the returning Harry Robertson.<\/p>\n

The spine selection is the big call that Wellens will have to make but by not naming George Whitby to the 21-man squad, it rules out any chance of major chance. As such, Wellens might go with what seems to be the most tried and tested solution of Sailor at full-back with Welsby and Lomax in the halves.<\/p>\n

Noah Stephens returned from injury lately but there might not be room for him on the bench with loanee Shane Wright joining Matt Whitley, the returning Delaney and utility Mbye.<\/p>\n

Predicted St Helens XIII: Tristan Sailor; Kyle Feldt, Harry Roberston, Mark Percival, Deon Cross; Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax; Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees; Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles<\/p>\n

Interchanges: Moses Mbye, Matt Whitley, Shane Wright, George Delaney<\/p>\n

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Head Coach Paul Wellens has confirmed his 21-man Saints squad that will face @leedsrhinos<\/a> in the @SuperLeague<\/a> Eliminator Play-Off, this Saturday night!<\/p>\n

Read more \ud83d\ude07 https:\/\/t.co\/XyjTIAq4ET<\/a>#COYS<\/a> | St Helens Flooring<\/p>\n

\u2014 St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

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