Leeds Rhinos talking points: Depth issue, contract uncertainty and Toulouse test

Leeds Rhinos head into Saturday’s game at bottom club Toulouse Olympique knowing they simply must keep on winning if they are to make the play-offs. Last weekend’s impressive 34-20 Magic Weekend victory over Castleford Tigers gave their top-six hopes another major boost and made it four wins from seven under Rohan Smith.

But with players coming and going from Headingley and plenty of uncertainty in the air, overcoming Sylvain Houles’ side will be no easy for the understrength Rhinos. Here, Leeds Live assesses a number of talking points surrounding Smith’s squad as they prepare to do battle in France’s fourth-largest city.

The Rhinos are bidding to win a third successive Super League game for the first time this season. It says much for their inconsistency during a campaign which saw Richard Agar throw in the towel after just six games.

Leeds have not been perfect since Smith arrived in May, but they have certainly been more pleasing on the eye. Their last two games – a 62-16 demolition of Hull FC and the Magic Weekend 34-20 win over Castleford – have underlined the potential within Smith’s squad. But if they cannot overcome a Toulouse side who have been bottom of the table all season, can Leeds really consider themselves genuine play-off contenders?

Will Zak Hardaker be given a contract to stay at Leeds Rhinos beyond this season? If that happens, will Jack Walker be allowed to join Hull FC on a permanent basis?

Could Liam Sutcliffe, a fine servant to the Rhinos during his career, also be heading for pastures new? Is Brad Dwyer a certainty to be playing away from Headingley next season?

There are a number of players within Smith’s squad with question marks over their future at Leeds. Throw in the fact that the Rhinos this