Danika Priim hails influence of Leeds Rhinos Women’s head coach Lois Forsell

The former England number nine is in her first full season as team boss having taken over from Adam Cuthbertson at the end of 2019 when a knee injury forced her to hang up her boots.

Last year’s campaign was cancelled, just a week before it was due to kick-off, because of Covid, but Leeds finished second in the table this time and will defend their title against league leaders St Helens at Emerald Headingley on Sunday.

“I have done my rugby league career pretty much with Lois,” Priim – who was a founder player for Rhinos in 2018 – said.

“If I wasn’t playing with her, I was playing against her and I have played internationally with her as well.

“I have got a lot of time and respect for Lois as a player and now as a coach.

“She can see things when the game’s going on that only a skilled nine or a half could see.

“She can really read the game and pass on her knowledge to younger girls.”

Priim hailed Forsell for inspiring Rhinos’ semi-final win over York City Knights.

She added: “She has been fantastic.

“She knows how to talk to us, being a woman and she knows how we respond to things best.

“In the semi-final, we went in 14-4 down and her half-time talk was strong, but super motivational.

“She has really got that double edge where she knows the game and knows the girls, so she’s great.”

Priim was a Grand Final winner with Bradford Bulls in 2017 and Rhinos two years later.

Though they are the defending champions, Rhinos will be underdogs against a St Helens team who have already won the Challenge Cup and league leaders’ shield and are unbeaten all season.

“I think it’s a really good place for us to be,” Priim said.