The Under 18s take to AMT Headingley on Friday

Alongside Friday night’s first team match, Leeds Rhinos Under-18s provide a curtain raiser to the main event as Tony Smith’s side take on Huddersfield Giants Under-18s at AMT Headingley, kick-off 5.15pm.

Fans are encouraged to get to the stadium early to support the Academy team, which has been coached by Rob Burrow CBE between 2018 and 2020, as the next generation of Rhinos players look to build for the future.

Heading into the second half of the season, Smith’s side are looking to add to their two wins as they look to climb the league table. After six games, back-to-back wins against Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity snapped a three-game losing streak for the young Rhinos at the start of 2024, but last time out they suffered a 46-10 defeat away to St Helens. However, some of the youngest members of the squad earned their opportunity to feature in Paul Anderson’s England as Presley Cassell, Joe Phillips, Jayemm Oladipupo and Marcus Qareqare were all named in the 21-man squad to fight against France.

The two meetings last season saw both sides win; The Giants held off a Leeds reply in a 34-30 win at Stanningley before the Rhinos ran riot at Laund Hill towards the end of the season.

The Giants sit two points clear of Leeds in the league table, one win more than the Rhinos in 2024. Tom Tsang’s side opened the season in form with wins against Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity before suffering defeats to Hull FC and Wigan at home.

A 42-14 win over Bradford at the end of May saw Marshall Land score three tries in a convincing win against the Bulls but, like the Rhinos, they also lost in a high-scoring affair against St Helens at Ruskin Park last time.

Although they are still not out of the play-offs, a tough run sees the Giants play Warrington, Wigan and Castleford, as well as Wakefield and Hull KR in their final five games.

The Rhinos come into the game off the back of defeat to St Helens last time out.

Harry Taylor got the Rhinos’ only first-half try as Leeds stayed in the competition, but six second-half tries from the Saints proved to be the visitors’ undoing.

Leeds Rhinos MND Awareness match against Leigh Leopards AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium is set for an exciting night with the stadium heading to a capacity crowd.

The match will mark the club’s celebration of the life of legendary player Rob Burrow CBE, who passed away on 2 June 2024, with less than 50 seats remaining around the stadium and less than 500 seats available in the South Stand . Seats are still available on the AMT East Terrace and West Terrace.

Fans are urged to get down to AMT Headingley early, with the club’s academy team playing Huddersfield Giants at 5.15pm and Sky Sports covering the match both on screen and in the stadium from 7pm. Tickets for this game can be purchased now at tickets.therhinos.co.uk.