Connor, Smith and Oledzki ruled out of opener as injury crisis hits

Leeds Rhinos are dealing with an injury pileup which will keep at least five of their most influential players out of Friday's Super League opener at Leigh Leopards.

- by Peter Smith

SETBACK: Half-back Jake Connor, left, and veteran Cameron Smith, right, are among the players who will miss Leeds Rhinos' Super League opener at Leigh Leopards.

(PICTURE: SWPIX.COM)

Man of Steel Jake Connor is ruled out with a knee injury picked up in training and loose-forward Cameron Smith has failed to recover from a knock sustained against Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Challenge Cup last Saturday.

As expected, England prop Mikolaj Oledzki is sidelined by rib damage suffered in the same match, but hopes captain/centre Ash Handley (groin) and dynamic forward Keenan Palasia (knee) would return have been dashed.

With Maika Sivo not yet ready to return from a knee injury sustained 13 months ago, Max Simpson (anterior cruciate ligament) out for the entire season, Alfie Edgell (thigh) more than two months away from a playing comeback and new signing Jeremiah Mata'utia (knee) still unavailable, Leeds are without nine of their full-time squad for round one.

There are only two experienced, specialist halves on Rhinos' books so the loss of Connor is a major blow.

Arthur confirmed 18-year-old George Brown, who made his debut last week at fullback, will start on Friday.