The two most successful Super League clubs go head to head this Friday for the first time this season, posing one of the first major tests for this new look Leeds Rhinos team this season.

The Saints come into this fixture on the back of a surprising defeat last week to the Salford Red Devils, after a red card for Saints centre Mark Percival early in the second half lead to 18 points from the Red Devils being unanswered in the last 20 minutes of the game.

However, Paul Wellens and his team will be fired up for their trip across the penines, where they have won the last five meetings with the Rhinos at Headingley. But they will be without Percival due to recieving a suspension from the match review panel.

Leeds are coming into this game after having one of their most successful starts to a Super League campaign since 2017, after only losing in round two to Hull KR. The Rhinos were triumphent last week against the Leigh Leapords after going 16-0 down at half time. The second half was dominated by Leeds where they put 22 unanswered points against a struggling Leapords side.

Leeds will be without new signing Paul Mominrovski this week after picking up a minor injury. However, they will be boosted by the return of former Saints man James Bentley and James Donaldson, who both return from suspension.

The Rhinos will be hoping for another home victory, as the fans push to make Headingley a fortress. However, with the Red Vees success at Headingley over the past few years, this will be Smiths and the Rhinos greatest challenge yet this season.