Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR: First Utility Super League preview

Leeds Rhino's head coach Brian McDermott

Leeds coach Brian McDermott has warned his players to expect the best from Super League's Jekyll-and-Hyde team as they look to hang on to top spot in the table.

Hull KR head to Headingley on Friday on a high following their shock win over Wigan in the Challenge Cup, just a fortnight after losing 60-0 to them in Super League.

"I'm not sure what to expect from them," said McDermott. "There's an unpredictability about them.

"They've already shown the quality they've got. They're a good attacking team and put 30 points on us in round one. It's the unpredictability that makes them a dangerous team.

"The job for me this week is to convince my group that the good version of them is coming to Headingley on Friday."

The Rhinos got back to winning ways with an impressive 48-16 rout of Huddersfield in the cup but have taken just a point from their last three league games and could concede the leadership to Wigan this weekend if results go against them.

Hull KR are a good attacking team and put 30 points on us in round one. It's the unpredictability that makes them a dangerous team.

Brian McDermott

Skipper Kevin Sinfield keeps his place after producing a man-of-the-match performance on his return against the Giants, which means his likely successor Liam Sutcliffe is again left on the sidelines.

McDermott is hoping to have second rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan back from injury for the 350th game of his career.

McDermott admits Sutcliffe is "not happy" about losing his place in the team but is urging him to be patient.

"Sutty has played really well for us this year but he's still in the early stages of his career," said McDermott. "He is hopefully going to take over from the most successful half-back trio/pairing Super League has ever seen.

"He's keeping it real at the moment. He's not in the team and he's not happy but at the same time he's not sulking about it because he knows he's going to get another chance soon enough."

Hull KR will give a debut to prop James Greenwood following his arrival on loan from Wigan, while youngsters Josh Guzdek, Stephen Holker and Connor Robinson are also called up to plug the gaps created by the loss of Graeme Horne, Adam Walker and Dane Tilse.

Leeds Rhinos: Zak Hardaker, Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Paul Aiton, Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Carl Ablett, Kevin Sinfield, Stevie Ward, Brett Delaney, Mitch Achurch, 17 Adam Cuthbertson, Liam Sutcliffe, Brad Singleton, Josh Walters, Ash Handley.

Hull KR: Kieran Dixon, Ben Cockayne, Josh Mantellato, Ken Sio, Maurice Blair, Kevin Larroyer, Tyrone McCarthy, James Donaldson, Kris Welham, James Green, Aaron Ollett, Jordan Cox, Terry Campese, John Boudebza, Sonny Esslemonth, Josh Guzdek, Connor Robinson, Stephen Holder, James Greenwood.