Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR - everything you need to know
Competition: Betfred Super League round three
Opponents: Hull KR
At: Emerald Headingley
On: Friday, February 14
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Coverage: No live TV
Tickets: Advanced tickets - bought before midnight on Thursday - begin at £24 for adults, £16 concessions and 12 for juniors (16 and under). Available via tickets.therhinos.co.uk, on 0371 423 1315 or in person from the stadium box office.
Opposition coach: Former Rhinos boss Tony Smith returned to rugby league when he joined Hull KR last June after Tim Sheens was sacked. Twice a Grand Final winner with Rhinos, he also coached Huddersfield Giants, England and Warrington Wolves before a spell out of the game when he did consultancy work for the FA.
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Hide AdOpposition star man: Rovers signed Brisbane-born centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall from Newcastle Knights to bring experience and leadership to a young squad. He scored nine tries in 21 Test appearances for New Zealand and played 279 times in the NRL, winning a Grand Final with Sydney Roosters in 2013.
Key battle: Matt Parcell was Leeds’ only Dream Team representative in their 2017 title-winning season. He fell out of favour, joined Rovers last year and is set to make his first appearance of the season tonight, against the man who displaced him as Leeds’ first-choice hooker in 2019, Brad Dwyer.
Opposition form: Rovers were expected to struggle this year after finishing 11th in 2019, but showed battling qualities in rounds one and two. A 30-12 home win over Wakefield Trinity was followed by a spirited performance in a 25-16 defeat at Hull last week.
Previous meeting: July 7 12, 2019. Betfred Super League round 22. Leeds Rhinos 16 (Tries Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, Hurrell, Martin), Hull KR 32 (Tries Linnett 2, Parcell, Quinlan, Livett, Hall. Goals Hall 3, Drinkwater). Referee: Robert Hicks. Attendance: 13,679.
Last five results: Rhinos LWLWL. Hull KR WLLWL
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Hide AdSuper League record: Leeds won 19 (includes win in 2009 play-offs), Hull KR won eight..
Milestones: Hull KR’s Greg Minikin needs one appearance for 150 in his career, Robbie Mulhern's next game will be his 100th for Rovers.
Team news: Rhinos captain Stevie Ward is ruled out due to concussion, but prop Ava Seumanufagai will return from a knee injury. Former Rhinos hooker Matt Parcell is in contention to make his first appearance of the season for Hull KR. Will Dagger will start at full-back in place of Adam Quinlan who suffered an ankle injury last week and Joe Keyes could come in for his Hull KR debut. For squads, see https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/leeds-rhinos-v-hull-kr-latest-team-news-1571340
Match odds: Hull KR receive eight-points start.