New Leeds Rhinos signing Adam Cuthbertson will start for the Challenge Cup winners when they take on Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Tetley’s Festive Challenge on Boxing Day at Headingley Carnegie.
The forward arrived at the club earlier this month from NRL side Newcastle Knights and will start in the front row alongside Kylie Leuluai and Paul Aiton.
Danny McGuire and Liam Sutcliffe will form an exciting half back pairing whilst successful England Academy stars Ashton Golding, Ash Handley and Robbie Ward are also including following their part in helping England defeat Australia Schoolboys last week.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Tom Briscoe are also included whilst Andy Yates will get the chance to play for Leeds for the first time after a nightmare injury run that has delayed his debut for a year since joining from Hunslet Hawks.
Commenting on the team Head Coach Brian McDermott said, “The players are looking forward to having a run out on Boxing Day. Adam has impressed everyone since he arrived from Australia with how he has settled in and I am sure he will be keen to play at Headingley Carnegie.
“The partnership between Danny McGuire and Liam Sutcliffe will be good to see in the half backs whilst Ashton Golding and Ash Handley come into the game on the back of a fantastic result for the England Academy team against the Australian Schoolboys,” added McDermott.
The team in full is:
1 Ashton Golding
2 Ash Hanley
3 Jimmy Keinhorst
4 Tom Briscoe
5 James Duckworth
6 Liam Sutcliffe
7 Danny McGuire
8 Kylie Leuluai
9 Paul Aiton
10 Adam Cuthbertson
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12 Mitch Achurch
13 Stevie Ward
14 Brad Singleton
15 Andy Yates
16 Josh Walters
17 Robbie Mulhern
18 Robbie Ward
19 Jordan Lilley
Tickets for the Tetley’s Festive Challenge on Boxing Day at Headingley Carnegie are available now from: www.therhinos.co.uk/tickets/index.php