 Manly celebrate after thrashing Melbourne 40-0 in the NRL Grand Final |
Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler says the NRL champions will bring a full-strength squad to England for the World Club Challenge against Leeds. Ex-St Helens centre Jamie Lyon will be in the squad for the game against the Rhinos at Elland Road on 1 March. And the club's five World Cup players - David Williams, Anthony Watmough, Brent Kite, Josh Perry and Glenn Stewart - are also included Manly will warm up with a friendly against Harlequins on 22 February. Full-back Brent Stewart, who missed the World Cup with a knee injury, is set to make his comeback against Quins. Hasler, a former player with Hull, said: "We will bring all our World Cup stars, new buys and the players still with us who played in the Grand Final win against Melbourne Storm last October. "The London match is vitally important for players to get an opportunity to play a game in English conditions prior to the match against Leeds. "I will field as many players as possible against Quins. We will be up against it weather-wise but we are arriving early and the players will have two weeks to get used to the English winter. "Having said that, we will have no excuses if we are beaten - Manly are coming to play." Super League clubs have won seven of the nine Challenges since the concept was revived in 2000 - all of which have been played on English soil - and Leeds are seeking to become the first club to retain the title following their 11-4 triumph over Melbourne last year.
|
Bookmark with:
What are these?