YORK youngster Jon Liddell may just have played himself into Leeds Rhinos' Challenge Cup semi-final with world club champions St Helens.

Although Rhinos' early-season promise was swept away in devastating fashion with a 42-6 thrashing by Wigan in a desperately disappointing Tetley's Super League top-four clash last night 18-year-old Liddell certainly caught the eye of Leeds coach Dean Lance.

Eighteen-year-old former York Acorn ARL junior Liddell, a half-back who played hooker for the first time in his life was handed his debut by lance last night.

Liddell, who took a week off from his job as trainee surveyor to prepare for his big rugby test, quickly adapted to his new role and, with first-choice hookers Robbie Mears and Matt Diskin struggling to combat injury, the York youngster could have played himself into the Rhinos' semi-final team against Saints when they return to the JJB Stadium next Saturday.

"The positive from the match was the performance of Jon Liddell," said Lance. "He was in the first tackle and I don't think he stopped all night. He tried his heart out."

Dean Lance's men must repair their shattered confidence over the next seven days otherwise another mauling awaits.

Already without international trio Keith Senior, Bradley Clyde and Ryan Sheridan through injury, Leeds suffered another body blow when New Zealand Test star Tonie Carroll knocked himself unconscious as he careered into an advertising hoarding.

Carroll, four-try hero against Wakefield seven days earlier, was taken to hospital and is doubtful for the semi-final.

Lance refused to use the injuries as an excuse for his side's feeble performance, acknowledging Wigan's obvious superiority and accusing some of his senior players of having one eye on the Cup clash.

"After 23 minutes, we had completed two sets," he said. "You can't expect to win these games by being as indisciplined as we were."

Wigan, too, were under-strength, with Matthew Johns failing to shake off a hamstring injury and Mick Cassidy and Gary Connolly falling victim to the flu bug.

Paul Johnson and Steve Renouf each bagged two tries and Kris Radlinski and David Furner also got on the scoresheet. Wigan skipper Andy Farrell, who overcame a back injury to contribute 18 points with a try and seven goals.

Updated: 11:07 Saturday, March 24, 2001