Leeds Rhinos news: major new injury blow as length of Andy Ackers layoff confirmed

Hooker Andy Ackers has been ruled out of action for up to 12 weeks after scans revealed he suffered a torn hamstring during last Friday’s Betfred Challenge Cup defeat at St Helens. The former Salford Red Devils man, a member of England’s 2022 World Cup squad, was ever-present this season, but limped off seconds before half-time in the 22-14 loss.

He joins captain/loose-forward Cameron Smith on Rhinos’ casualty list. Smith was expected to be sidelined for around 10 weeks after sustaining ankle damage in a win at Salford on February 22. Winger Maika Sivo was ruled out for the entire season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during Ash Handley’s testimonial game in January.

Full-back Lachie Miller made his first appearance of the season against Saints following hamstring and calf muscle injuries, but half-back Matt Frawley missed that game with concussion suffered six days earlier against Catalans Dragons, in his first game back from a hand injury. Stand-off Brodie Croft had a concussion layoff earlier this month and hooker/loose-forward Jarrod O’Connor (knee) and scrum-half/hooker Jack Sinfield (foot) have also spent time on the casualty list.

A Rhinos spokesman said Ackers “will not require an operation and is expected to return to action in early June”. Hamstrings have been a particular issue for Rhinos this year, with fringe players Ben Littlewood, Max Simpson, Ned McCormack and Fergus McCormack all currently out of action with similar injuries. Ned McCormack has not played since being hurt in the act of scoring against Warrington Wolves last July and is expected to miss the whole campaign.