Handley and Newman ruled out with injury for this one.

Player most likely to be inspired by the occasion and have a blinder for Rob: Zak Hardaker.

Handley should have come off against Hull, he got a heavy knock.

This will be an interesting selection then. I'm guessing Martin will go into centre and maybe we'll see Butterfield make an appearance. I'm not sure how close Simpson is to playing either, or if Jack Smith is fit again.

I hope the atmosphere is positive and respectful more than anything. Leigh will come to win, Leeds will try to win too but we are not in good form. It doesn't necessarily mean the players aren't trying if we don't win, that's too lazy a conclusion to make. Either way, the crowd should behave itself for this one and leave the toxic chanting out of it, it is not appropriate or helpful at the best of times, and certainly not at a game celebrating Rob's life and career in front of a large crowd and lots of media interest.

If the Jake Connor rumour is true do we play him at centre for this one or scrum half?

Don't fancy us in this one, Leigh are in good form and we're not plus yet more injuries in the back line.. just hope it's a great atmosphere for Rob which is all that matters.

Not sure where the rumour has come from but lets say it’s true, id play him at centre

I don't think I have seen Jack Smith or Simpson play recently. Is Robert's still injured?

I suspect Russell winger and Martin at centre. McDonnell and Goudemand at 2nd row.

Yes good call, would hope Russell can come in - he played alright for his debut I thought.

Goudemand needs to play back row / bench rather than prop, we had this discussion when we signed him but he just isn't a prop to my mind, like Donaldson isn't and never will be.

Given the struggle the pack is having this year, with Martin seconded out again RS will need to get the right selection. Cam Smith is probably a better middle than Goudemand, maybe we push O'Connor back to 13 and rotate Ackers and Johnson at 9 for this one.

1. Lachie Miller
2. David Fuistu'a
4. Paul Momirovski
6. Brodie Croft
7. Matt Frawley
8. Mikolaj Oledzki
12. Rhyse Martin
13. Cameron Smith
14. Jarrod O'Connor
16. James McDonnell
17. Justin Sangare
18. Mickael Goudemand
21. Jack Sinfield
26. Corey Johnson
27. Toby Warren
29. Alfie Edgell
30. Tom Nicholson-Watton
31. Ned McCormack
32. Ben Littlewood
35. Matty Russell
36. Sam Eseh Jn
I would go with
Miller
Fusitua, Momorovski, Martin, Russell,
Croft, Sinfield
Oledzki, Johnson, Sangare
McDonnell, Smith
O`Connor
Subs Edgell,Eseh, Goudemand, TNW
And the best of British luck!!

Crumbs. I'd probably go for Martin in the forwards myself and give McCormack a go. Starting to feel like everyone should just ignore the game itself on Friday and focus on the event.

i've never known in my 40 years of following our great club to have so many players missing for concussion protocols, especially the long term ones. We seem to be more effected than any other club in SL and we probably all know why but what chance have we got longer term if this has to continue when other clubs are not doing the same.... it puts us behind the 8 ball season after season.

The game couldn't carry on if all clubs did the same. It wss only a matter of time before we ran out of players.

What have I missed? Jake Connor? As in the Huddersfield Jake Connor?

Yeah, we're trying to land him on loan. confirmed in yep today

Not happening apparently, he's heading to France with the Giants at the weekend although not expected to be 'played'.

A Rhinos statement said: “The club have reiterated their commitment to the brain health of their players. Having reviewed footage from Saturday’s game and implementing the RFL guidelines, the club are adopting the correct protocol in standing these players down.”

I made a similar point on another thread. If the protocols the other 11 clubs are following are sufficient to mitigate the risk as far as it can be, then we certainly are putting ourselves at a significant disadvantage. It is unsustainable.

Either that or we are shatting ourselves over getting sued following the apparent lack of player welfare suggested in the Steve Ward case.
But surely if we follow the rules/advice the other clubs are taking we should not be having 7 players out with concussion protocols.
Might as well play touch and pass next year, saying that I think we are playing it this year but we get let down with the passing side of it!!

I wonder where we were intending playing Jake Connor. Is Newman going to be out for six months with concussion or was it with a view to picking him over Frawley or Miller?

Miller has been far better than Conner this season, my thought is more as you say is Newmans concussion bad

Connor has been poor , but lets not exaggerate

Fully agree

How’s it an exaggeration? Miller has been better than conner this year.

ok , maybe it is me that is exaggerating , but Miller is poor , i hoped he would not be but he is .

An ultimate seven a side player (hop , skip and a jump )

People complain about project signings and think Jake Conner would be a good addition.