HANDLEY’S WEMBLEY BID

Five years after being a squad player, Rhinos ace hoping for Cup final impact

AFTER BEING a bit- part player towards the end of their greatest era, in- form winger Ash Handley is ready to take centre stage for Leeds Rhinos at Wembley.

Handley scored a brace of tries in Leeds’ Challenge Cup semifinal win over Wigan Warriors three days ago when coach Richard Agar’s side moved to within 80 minutes of their first silverware since 2017.

The 24- year- old England Knights flier was a member of Leeds’ squad during their 2015 treble- winning season and when they last lifted the Super League title three years ago, but has never played in a major final.

“I was just on the end of the golden era and I was involved in being a part of that team at the back end in 2015 and the Grand Final in 2017 so I have had a little taste, but I’ll be able to experience it first hand this time,” said

Handley of the prospect of facing Salford Red Devils in this season’s showpiece.

“In 2015 I travelled with all the sponsors and families, but it was a great day and a great experience, to go down the day before, watch the game and obviously celebrate with the lads after.”

Next week’s decider will be played behind closed doors for the first time in the competition’s history and Handley admitted it “won’t be the same”.

He said: “We can’t have our fans down there and our friends and family to watch us, but they will be watching on the telly at home and we will feel their support even though they won’t be there in person.

“We will just have to deal with it, like we have everything else this year.

“We will bring our own atmosphere and hopefully we can get the win.”

Leeds have two games to deal with first, at home to Castleford Tigers on Thursday and at Warrington Wolves six days later.

Agar is likely to send a secondstring side to Warrington, but most of his Wembley squad could get a run out this week.

Handley vowed Rhinos, who are fifth in Super League, will not be holding back.

“We had a great performance against Wigan and we want to keep building the momentum going forward for the final and just try and back up that performance with another good one against Castleford on Thursday,” the winger said.

“We want to get a good win under our belt before [ the final] and we will do our best to get that.

“It is always tough against Cas; they are a great team, no matter who’s playing and we always have good games against them.

“They will be up for it, but so will we. We are looking forward to it.”