Wakefield v Leeds: Teams

At Belle Vue, Friday February 15, kick-off 8pm

Last updated: 15th February 2008

Leeds Rhinos v South Sydney Rabbitohs January 2008 rob burrow

Burrow: Danger man

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Super League champions Leeds Rhinos head to Wakefield on Friday for their eagerly anticipated West Yorkshire derby.

John Kear's Wildcats made the perfect start to the season with a 26-24 victory over the Bradford Bulls on Sunday, although the unbeaten Rhinos should provide a sterner test for the home side.

The Rhinos have defeated Hull Kingston Rovers and the Huddersfield Giants so far this season and Brian McClennan's team are sitting pretty at the top of the early Super League standings.

Winger Lee Smith has been recalled to the squad by the New Zealander after being replaced by Ryan Hall for the game at the Galpharm.

Changes

Smith comes back into the squad in place of Hall, despite the fact both players have two tries to their names already this season.

Nick Scruton is also named in the party heading to Belle Vue in place of fellow prop Luke Burgess.

Burgess and Hall are set to represent Willie Poching's strong reserve academy side, which will take on Wakefield's youngsters before the game at Belle Vue.

Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield is also available following the birth of his second son on Tuesday night and the Rhinos are set to name the same side that beat St Helens in the Grand Final.

Settling in

The Wildcats have yet to win a home game against the Rhinos in Super League and were defeated twice last season, but in the pre-season friendly between the teams on Boxing Day Kear's side ran out 26-18 winners.

New recruits Paul Reilly, Brad Drew, Tony Martin and Danny Brough have come in since then and are all included in Wakefield's unchanged 18-man squad after making their debuts against the Bulls.

Kear has also named tryscorers Luke George and Ryan Atkins in his party as well as former Widnes stars Oliver Wilkes and Scott Grix.

Half-back Jamie Rooney may come into the team after missing out against Bradford, but there is still no place for injured winger Damien Blanch.

Wakefield 20-man squad: Blaymire, Martin, Atkins, Reilly, Rooney, Brough, Watene, Drew, Sculthorpe, Ferres, Demetriou, Obst, Bibey, Henderson, Wilkes, Leo-Latu, Grix, Ferguson, Moore, George.

Leeds 18-man squad: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Scruton, Kirke, Ablett