Leeds Rhinos 2026 season preview
2025 recap
The Rhinos made huge strides in 2025, and reached the play-offs for the first time since 2022.
Their exit to St.Helens was one of the cruellest losses in Super League history, but overall there were far more positives than negatives for Leeds, who also boasted the Man of Steel in Jake Connor.
2025 position: 4th
Key signings
Jeremiah Mata’utia (North Queensland Cowboys), Ethan O’Neill (Leigh), Chris Hankinson (Salford Red Devils), Danny Levi (Canberra Raiders)
Key departures
Morgan Gannon (New Zealand Warriors), Sam Lisone (Hull FC), Matt Frawley (Retirement), Ethan Clark-Wood (TBC), Jack Smith (York), Andy Ackers (Bradford), James Bentley (Warrington), Jack Sinfield (Wakefield)
Players to watch
Maika Sivo arrived 12 months ago with plenty of expectations on his shoulders, but a devastating injury in pre-season saw him miss the entire 2025 campaign. Now fit again, the Fijian flyer could be one of Super League’s standouts this year. In six seasons in the NRL, he never scored less than 13 tries, and his overall strike rate is a very impressive 116 in 127 games.
As the reigning Man of Steel, Jake Connor will be under pressure to deliver again in 2026. His arrival at Leeds for 2025 went a little under the radar, but an outsanding year saw him crowned with the competition’s top individual prize. He was surprisingly overlooked for the England squad at the end of the year, and I’m sure he’ll use that as motivation to have another strong campaign.
Young gun
21-year-old Presley Cassell made a good impression in his seven games in 2025. The Rhinos won six of those seven games with him in the team, and he bagged a couple of tries as well. With a few forwards leaving ahead of 2026, expect to see Cassell get a few more opportunities this year.
Our prediction – 3rd
I’ve got a feeling the Rhinos will go from strength to strength this year, with a Grand Final place a distinct possibility. The news that coach Brad Arthur was staying for another season was massive for Leeds, and gives them a good platform to build on in 2026. They’ve kept most of the squad together as well, so I’m expecting big things from them.
