Adam Cuthbertson says Rhinos' youngsters will benefit from Super League struggles

Adam Cuthbertson says Leeds' youngsters will benefit from their baptism of fire in the Super League following a woeful start to the season.

The Australian prop is preparing for his first lay-off in Super League after tearing muscles in his elbow in training and was forced to sit out his first game of the season when the Rhinos lost to Salford on Saturday to leave them second-bottom with just two wins from their opening 10 games.

Cuthbertson has been a virtual ever-present since joining the Rhinos from Newcastle 18 months ago and made the Man of Steel shortlist at the end of his first full season in Super League after playing a key role in their charge to the domestic treble.

Live First Utility Super League

"We've been having to not only rotate players in certain positions they wouldn't play in, we've had to throw a lot of young kids in at the deep end in a sense," he said.

"But I think because of all that's been happening, you can only get stronger from it. These kids are getting good experience.

"I've been in situations where you've had a bit of a bad run in terms of win-loss scenario, and when you come out the other side, you see the light, you appreciate it a lot more and you can only grow stronger.

"There's plenty of matches to rescue the season but it's got to start now and I think it did last week. The performance at the weekend was quite a pleasing one. We didn't get the win but we're on the right track.

"We're still quietly confident that we can turn it around and have a successful year."

Cuthbertson, who played in 34 of Leeds' 36 matches in 2015, is hoping his enforced rest will help him reproduce last year's form.

"I tore a few muscles attached to the ligaments that are joined to my elbow," he said. "It's quite a decent tear too, so it's not pretty, but I'm hoping I'm not out too long.

"It's rubbed salt into the wounds, especially doing it in training because you can cop them when it happens in the heat of battle.

"I've been playing a bit battered and bruised. I broke a little bone in my hand, it's an old injury I've re-done and I think I was compensating for it a bit too much which sort of resulted in me getting this injury.

Live First Utility Super League

"You don't ever want to sit out games but I definitely feel refreshed from having the week off.

"Obviously we got pretty busy over the Easter period and I probably would have been rested (if it happened) this time last year, the way we were going.

"I'm disappointed for me as player getting the injury but it's not made it any easier on the team because of the amount of injuries in the squad."

Watch Leeds Rhinos take on Hull FC on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7.30pm on Friday, April 15.

By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.