Handley's Ashes hopes are hanging in the balance due to groin injury

Leeds Rhinos co-captain Ash Handley's chances of being available for this autumn's Ashes are hanging in the balance.

- by Peter Smith

The centre is a member of England's Betfred Super League-based training squad for the series against Australia, which begins at Wembley on October 25, but has a groin injury which is likely to require surgery. After missing the final four rounds of the regular season, he returned in last weekend's agonising elimination playoff loss to St Helens.

Asked after that game if Handley could play for England, Leeds coach Brad Arthur admitted: "I don't know. We need to see how he pulls up. He did a pretty good job, but you could see he couldn't fully accelerate at times. It's up to Ash and we'll see where he is physically with his injury."