Jack Sinfield will make his first appearance in a Leeds Rhinos jersey when Wakefield Trinity visit Headingley on Boxing Day.
The 17-year-old prospect and son of legendary former Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield has been promoted to Richard Agar’s senior squad ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Head coach Agar today confirmed that the teenager will definitely play some part against Trinity in the traditional pre-season friendly.
“Jack will be involved, we’re going to give him some time at the weekend,” said Agar.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to sort of reward Jack for the pre-season that he’s having.
“It will be the first time really that’s he played against men, which will be a whole new experience for him.
“There will be a bigger crowd than he’s played in front of before, playing with senior players, but we just expect Jack to just do the simple things really well and get a really good taste and feel and experience for what first-grade is all about.”
New signings Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer are expected to start the match together in the halves with Sinfield likely to come off the bench at some point.
Agar is reluctant to put any undue pressure on the teenage starlet ahead of a season which could see him make his Super League debut.
The Rhinos boss added: “We’re not setting the expectation levels too high for Jack this season given that it’s his first pre-season and given his experiences.
“You never rule it out because you never know. We saw it last year didn’t we, with Morgan Gannon, who took to first grade like a duck to water and thoroughly warranted the opportunity.
“I think we’re all really excited because it’s always great from a club perspective when you see kids developing through your ranks.”
