Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos: Top two derby rivals prepared for ultimate Super League test

Rhinos are top of the standings, two points ahead of second-placed Trinity who won two of the teams’ three meetings last year.

It’s one victory each this season after Leeds were knocked out of the Challenge Cup at DIY Kitchens Stadium, Belle Vue, in March, but won a home league encounter two months later.

Hosts Wakefield are on a seven-game winning run and Arthur is under no illusions about the scale of the task facing his team.

“They are going well and backing it up on a week to week basis,” he said of Daryl Powell’s team.

“They start well and finish games strong, they move the ball around and score plenty of points, showed plenty of grit and toughness with 12 men a couple of weeks ago and they play really well at home.

"It is a really good contest we are looking forward to and another good challenge and test for us.

“They are well-coached, they obviously know exactly what each other’s role is and how they contribute to each other and I think they do a good job from one-17, all doing their job and playing well – a real team performance.

“I think we are similar. We showed last weekend, every one of our 17 players really owned their job and that just makes life easier and gives you better output in your team performance.”

Trinity returned to Super League last term after one campaign in the Championship, but Arthur hasn’t been surprised by their rate of progress.

“I thought they had a really good season last year,” he said.

“They showed a lot of potential. They were obviously disappointed with how they played in their final match, but they learned a lot from that.

"They have done a really good job; they probably started a bit slow this year, throughout their trials and their first couple of games, but of late they have been one of the form teams.”

Arthur said intensity in Rhinos’ training has lifted ahead of the derby battle.

“We don’t need to dress it up too much,” he said. “All the players are aware of the occasion and aware that last time we under-performed at Wakey, but our focus is just making sure we continue to repeat the performances we get when we come with the right mentality.”

Arthur insists he isn’t afraid to use teenager Zak Lloyd in Rhinos’ big games at the business end of the season.

Lloyd, 18, made his debut as a substitute in last week’s 46-0 win against Toulouse Olympique and has retained his place in the squad for Friday’s trip to Wakefield and his coach has every faith in him.

He added: “We’ve got a lot of senior players who can lead the way. I know the scoreline blew out, but that was a tough game for us against Toulouse – they really aimed up, they are a physical team and a big team, so he did a good job there.

“You are putting him in a team that’s well on top of their game, they know what their jobs are and so all Zak has to do is focus on the jersey number he fills and what that role is.

"He has already proven he can handle it physically.”

The derby is followed by a short turnaround to a Thursday home fixture against sixth-placed Leigh Leopards for Rhinos and the next eight days could be crucial to the outcome of Rhinos’ season.

“Every week has been important for us,” Arthur stressed.

“Every time you win a game, the next game becomes more important to make sure you keep that momentum.

"You work hard to get yourself in a good, strong position, but it’s even harder to stay there.

“We are quite aware of that. We have worked hard and need to keep working hard against a couple of good quality oppositions over the next fortnight.”

Rhinos’ captain Ash Handley is expected to return after three games out following appendicitis.

Ryan Hall, who has missed the last four, is in the squad, but is likely to be given another week to recover from his foot injury.

Fellow winger Alfie Edgell could be recalled after sitting out last Friday’s victory with a hamstring problem.

Trinity could also recall a winger, with Lachlan Walmsley back in their squad after being rested last Saturday when they won at Catalans Dragons.

England prop Mike McMeeken didn’t play in France because of a back problem, but Powell was hopeful of him being back to face the Rhinos

“He has trained and if he comes out of that he should be available,” said Powell.

"We are okay, we’ve come out of the last game all right-ish, with nothing major, so there’s some calls for me and the coaches to make.”