McGuire blow gives teenager chance

Young stand-off Stevie Ward could make his Super League debut for Leeds on Sunday after Danny McGuire was ruled out through injury.

The Rhinos travel to crisis-hit St Helens for a televised clash at Langtree Park without McGuire, who will be out for two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Ward, 18, was promoted to the first team squad this season and still combines training with studying his A levels.

He said: “I am really looking forward to the game. St Helens will be very tough and they will be really up for this game because of everything that has happened to them so far this season. We will go there looking to get the job done but we know it is going to be very tough.

“The school have been great with me. They let me take time off if I need to get to training or for a match plus I have been training with the first team squad recently. Sometimes it is a drag getting myself there for classes but it is an important part of my life and I want to make sure I get my A-levels so I can make other choices later on.”

Although McGuire was initially named in the Rhinos’ 19-man squad, coach Brian McDermott later confirmed he will be absent against Saints, who play their first game since sacking coach Royce Simmons last week.

Leeds 19-man squad v St Helens: Webb, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Hardaker, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Smith, Delaney, Kirke, Clarkson, Griffin, Moore, Hood, Ward.