Morley relishing coaching chance

Former Great Britain prop Adrian Morley is looking forward to coaching the Leeds team which will play Hunslet in a preseason friendly this weekend.

Morley joined the Rhinos’ coaching staff in the close season, and has been appointed as head coach of the club’s U-19s.

Ten out of the 19 players in Sunday’s squad for the trip to Hunslet are part of the U-19s squad.

“I am looking forward to Sunday’s game,” said Morley.

“It is exciting for the lads with it being our first game of the New Year. There are a number of established players in the side along with the young lads who will get a chance as well.

“I have loved working with the young lads, I remember being in their position going through the same process. Our job as coaches is to help them achieve what they can in their career.”

Leeds lost their last friendly against Wakefield on Boxing Day. With a different squad selected, Morley doesn’t feel that that result will have much effect on Sunday’s fixture.

“I don’t think the Wakefield result will impact on our lads,” he said.

“The players realise this is a trial game and a great opportunity to show where they are in their progress at the club. They have a chance to put their name down for the rest of the season and for the Under 19 players there are not many opportunities they get to play against open age players so this is a chance to impress Brian and the first team coaches.

“We won’t be looking at past results as an incentive, the boys who take the field on Sunday will want to put in a good performance for themselves.”

The team in full is:
1. Reece Chapman-Smith
2. Harry Boyes
3. Jimmy Keinhorst
4. Nathan Waring
5. Ash Handley
6. Liam Sutcliffe
7. Cory Aston
8. Jordan Baldwinson
9. Sam Hallas
10. Jack Ormondroyd
11. Josh Walters
12. Alex Sutcliffe
13. Josh Jordan-Roberts
14. Mikojai Oledzki
15. Jordan Lilley
16. Harvey Whiteley
17. James Barraclough
18. Conner Sunderland
19. Tom Schofield