Leeds sign Featherstone pair on loan

Leeds have signed James Harrison and Brett Ferres on one-month loan deals from Featherstone.

Ferres, 34, rejoins the Rhinos having left Headingley after four seasons last year, while back-rower Harrison, 24, joins his hometown club.

Both players have been consigned to the sidelines since the coronavirus outbreak, following the cancellation of the Championship season, which Featherstone were critical of.

Rhinos director of rugby, Kevin Sinfield, said: “We have a busy period of games coming up and we felt the need to bolster our squad both in terms of numbers in training but also to have options in case of injuries.

“Inevitably with shorter gaps between games, there will be players who miss fixtures with minor injuries on a week to week basis and in James and Brett we feel we are bringing players with a very specific purpose in mind.”

Leeds are without forwards Dom Crosby and Stevie Ward for an indefinite period, while Adam Cuthbertson suffered a back injury in the win over Salford.

James Donaldson and Alex Mellor are also sidelined, though it is hoped they will return soon.