Exclusive: Leeds Rhinos players questioned over alleged assault in student flats

Two Leeds Rhinos players are to be interviewed by police over the alleged assault of a man in student flats in Leeds.
Zak HardakerZak Hardaker
Zak Hardaker

The pair, understood to be Zak Hardaker and Elliot Minchella, are due to attend a police station in the next few days following an incident at the Opal One building on Burley Road last month.

The club has confirmed two of its players are “helping police with their enquiries”.

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Hardaker was expected to be left out of the side to face Warrington Wolves on Friday night.

Elliot MinchellaElliot Minchella
Elliot Minchella

The news comes three days after West Yorkshire Police asked for the public’s help following what they described as a “nasty assault” in the early hours of February 3.

Between 2.30 and 3am, two men entered shared accommodation and tried to get in to some of the rooms.

A 22-year-old man confronted one of the men and was assaulted, suffering black eyes and bruising to his ears and neck.

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CCTV images of two suspects were released, leading to a number of calls to police.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We can confirm that will be speaking to two men in connection with the incident. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Full-back Hardaker, 23, has been one of the stars as Rhinos have made an unbeaten start to the Super League season, winning each of their four Super League games before Friday.

Minchella, 19, made his debut in 2013 against Salford Red Devils and featured a further five times for the first team last season.

A club spokesman said: “Two players are helping police with their enquiries.”