After making a winning start to the 2026 season, Leeds Rhinos Scholarship head to the University of Hull on Wednesday night to take on Hull FC, kick off 7.30pm.

Simon Brown's side opened the new Under-16s season with a hard-fought win on home soil against Bradford Bulls a week ago as tries from Henry Brough, Joe Gill and Noah Sheriffe got the result for the Rhinos. Despite naming a youthful side, particularly as first-year players full back Eli Kirrane-Perrin, half back Cole Charlesworth-March, loose forward Oliver Brown and forward Laike Smith made their club debuts, the Rhinos managed to battle to a win in a closely fought contest with their derby rivals.

Before returning to Stanningley at the start of April to take on Leigh Leopards, the Rhinos face a stern challenge in the shape of Hull FC, who are looking for their first win over Leeds at Scholarship level since breaking away from the City of Hull programme after 2019. In two meetings since 2024, the Rhinos have come away victorious on both occasions - winning 26-16 on their last trip to the University of Hull in 2024 before two tries from both Sonny Hetherington and Robin Smith helped Leeds to a high scoring 42-22 scoreline last year.

Hull officially get their season underway this week as they build on a five-win season in 2025. Richard Tate's side produced some big results against St Helens, Wakefield and their cross-city rivals Hull KR, but face a tough start to 2026 as they welcome the Rhinos to Hull before travelling to take on Warrington next weekend.

Last time out

Team News

Simon Brown hands four players their Scholarship debuts for the test against Hull FC, having given four first year Scholars their first game last time out against Bradford.

The quartet are named amongst the substitutes as Brown opts to retain most of the squad that got the win over the Bulls. Luca Brindley, Myles Hartley, Jaylen Johnson and Evan Armstrong are all set to pull on Rhinos colours for the first time since joining the programme at the end of 2025, joining fellow first years Eli Kirrane-Perrin, Oliver Brown and Laike Smith who are retained from the Bulls win.

The only other change sees Cole Charlesworth-March replaced by Oliver Vincent in the halves as the Harrogate Rugby Union player gets his first game in 2026.

Wade Smith and Toby Wieland are promoted from the bench to starting in the Rhinos outside backs, as is Archie Butler who joins Ben Smith in the starting props.

The squad in full is:

1. Eli Kirrane-Perrin - Available to Sponsor

2. Wade Smith sponsored by Rapid Skip Hire

3. Toby Wieland - Available to Sponsor

4. Joe Gill sponsored by ER Scaffolding

5. Alfie Quinn sponsored by Shaping Bodies

6. Henry Brough sponsored by Padel Shed

7. Oliver Vincent sponsored by Wilson Power Solutions

8. Archie Butler sponsored by Prestige Work Surfaces

9. Jordan Barker-Day sponsored by The Hall Family

10. Ben Smith sponsored by Pivot

11. Dillon Eshun sponsored by Complex Access Solutions

12. Oscar Brown sponsored by Clear Space

13. Oliver Brown sponsored by Samuel Guest Packaging

14. Luca Brindley sponsored by Ashtree Roofing

15. Myles Hartley sponsored by CareFree

16. Stan Marriott - Available to Sponsor

17. Dylan Baira sponsored by Complex Access Solutions

18. Evan Armstrong - Available to Sponsor

19. Jaylen Johnson sponsored by Path Energy

20. Laike Smith - Available to Sponsor