2025 Leeds Rhinos season

Last updated

Leeds Rhinos 2025 season
2025 Super League season Rank3rd
Challenge Cup Round 4
2025 recordWins: 18; draws: 0; losses: 8
Points scoredFor: 570; against: 272
Team information
Club PresidentGill Spencer
Head Coach Brad Arthur
Captain
Stadium Headingley Rugby Stadium
High attendance16,863
Hull Kingston Rovers, 25 April [1]
Low attendance14,234
Castleford Tigers, 2 March
Top scorers
Tries Riley Lumb (10)
Goals Jake Connor (70)
Points Jake Connor (168)
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Home colours
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Away colours
  2024 List of seasons 2026  

The 2025 season is Leeds Rhinos' twenty-ninth consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. They are competing in the 2025 Super League season and competed in the 2025 Challenge Cup.

Contents

Preseason friendlies

Date and TimeVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
26 December 2024; 11:00 [a] Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity H Headingley Rugby Stadium W18–16 Connor (2), Brown Connor (2/2), J. Sinfield (1/1)10,883 [2]
26 January; 15:00 [b] Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors H Headingley Rugby Stadium W22–4 Handley, C. Smith, Hall, Newman Connor (3/4)5,055 [3]

Super League

Date and TimeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVPos.Report
15 February; 15:00Round 1 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity H Headingley Rugby Stadium L12–14 Newman, Lisone Connor (2/2)15,374 Sky Sports +11th [4]
22 February; 15:00Round 2 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils A Salford Community Stadium W32–6 Lumb (2), Gannon, Handley, Bentley, Hall Connor (3/6 + 1 pen.)5,798 Sky Sports +6th [5]
2 March; 15:00Round 3 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers H Headingley Rugby Stadium W38–24 Connor (2), Handley (2) Palasia, Hall, Lumb Connor (5/7)14,234 Sky Sports +5th [6]
8 March; 17:30 (GMT)Round 4 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus L0–118,125 Sky Sports +6th [7]
22 March; 17:30Round 5 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors H Headingley Rugby Stadium W12–10 Lumb, Sinfield Connor (1/2 + 1 pen.)15,966 Sky Sports Main Event6th [8]
28 March; 20:00Round 6 [c] Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves A Halliwell Jones Stadium L14–16 Lumb, McDonnell, Hall Connor (1/3)10,523 Sky Sports Action7th [10]
10 April; 20:00Round 7 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils A Salford Community Stadium W28–0 McDonnell (4), Miller Miller (3/5 + 1 pen.)4,159 Sky Sports Action6th [11]
18 April, 17:30Round 8
(Rivals Round)
Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants H Headingley Rugby Stadium W28–6 Miller, Watkins, Handley, Connor, Hall Miller (4/5)14,566 Sky Sports +6th [12]
25 April, 20:00Round 9 HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers H Headingley Rugby Stadium L14–20 Handley, Lumb Miller (1/2 + 2 pen.)16,863 [1] Sky Sports Action6th [13]
3 May; 19:30Round 10
(Magic Weekend)
Saintscolours.svg St Helens N St James' Park W17–4 Lumb, Miller, Gannon Miller (2/3)
Drop-goals: Sinfield
31,294 [d] Sky Sports Action4th [14]
16 May; 20:00Round 11 Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. H Headingley Rugby Stadium W18–16 McDonnell, Holroyd, Lumb, Hall Miller (1/4)15,602 Sky Sports +4th [15]
24 May; 14:30Round 12 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers A The Jungle W29–6 Newman (2), Croft, Hall, Lisone Connor (4/5)
Drop-goals: Connor
8,069 [16] Sky Sports +
BBC iPlayer
3rd [17]
31 May; 16:30Round 13 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity H Headingley Rugby Stadium W22–18 Newman, Connor, Lumb Connor (3/3 + 2 pen.) Sky Sports +
BBC Two
3rd [18]
14 June; 17:30Round 14 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves H Headingley Rugby Stadium W36–12 Smith (2), Croft, Holroyd, Connor, Gannon Connor (4/6 + 1 pen.), Watkins (1/1)14,306 Sky Sports +3rd [19]
20 June; 20:00Round 15 Saintscolours.svg St Helens A Totally Wicked Stadium L4–18 Lumb Connor (0/1)11,179 Sky Sports +4th [20]
27 June; 20:00 [e] Round 16 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Leopards H Headingley Rugby Stadium W48–30 Watkins (2), Newman (2), Miller, Smith, Holroyd, Olędzki Connor (8/8) Sky Sports Action3rd [22]
6 July; 15:00Round 17 HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers A Craven Park W14–8 Lisone, Miller Connor (4/6 + 1 pen.) Sky Sports Action3rd [23]
11 July; 20:00 [e] Round 18 Saintscolours.svg St Helens H Headingley Rugby Stadium L0–615,093 Sky Sports Main Event5th [24]
18 July; 20:00Round 19 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils H Headingley Rugby Stadium W42–6 Edgell (3), Miller, Newman, McDonnell, Jenkins Connor (6/7 + 1 pen.) Sky Sports +4th [25]
24 July; 20:00Round 20 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity A Belle Vue L14–15 Lisone, O'Connor Connor (1/1 + 1 pen.), Sinfield (1/1)9,252 Sky Sports +5th [26]
7 August; 20:00Round 21 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Leopards A Leigh Sports Village W22–14 Miller, Lisone, Bentley, Croft Connor (3/4) Sky Sports Action4th [27]
16 August; 15:00Round 22 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers A The Jungle W64–6 Hall (2), Croft (2), Handley (2), Newman, Miller, Cassell, Bentley, Connor Connor (9/10), Hankinson (1/1) Sky Sports +3rd [28]
21 August; 20:00Round 23 HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers H Headingley Rugby Stadium W28–6 Connor, Cassell, Miller, Newman Connor (4/4 + 2 pen.)16,260 Sky Sports Action4th [29]
30 August; 15:00Round 24 Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. A MKM Stadium W34–0 Hall, Watkins, Connor, Gannon, Croft, McDonnell Connor (5/6) Sky Sports +3rd [30]
6 September; 17:30Round 25 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants A Kirklees Stadium Sky Sports +
11 September; 20:00Round 26 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons H Headingley Rugby Stadium Sky Sports +
18-21 September; TBCRound 27 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors A Brick Community Stadium Sky Sports

Table

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 HKRcolours.svg Hull KR (Q)242004728240+48840Advance to Semi-finals
2 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors (T)241806692317+37536
3 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos (T)241707570272+29834Advance to Eliminators
    4 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Leopards (T)241617527414+11333
    5 Saintscolours.svg St Helens (T)241608637244+39332
    6 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity [A] 2413011586404+18226
    7 Hullcolours.svg Hull FC 2412111479415+6425
    8 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves (U)24100144465459920
    9 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons (U)24701736660624014
    10 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants (U)24601830967436512
    11 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers (U)24501934070536510
    12 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils [A] (U)24302119410388446
    1. 1 2 Salford forfeited their game against Wakefield. Under RFL operational rules, the game is recorded as a 48–0 victory for Wakefield, and converse loss for Salford, with the points scored/conceded applying to both teams. [31]

    Challenge Cup

    On 25 June 2024, the RFL announced a change to the Challenge Cup format, totalling 7 rounds compared to the previous 9, with Super League teams entering to play away from home at round 3. [32]

    Leeds Rhinos were drawn on 14 January to play the Wests Warriors, who play in the Southern Conference League, in Round 3, following fixtures in Rounds 1 and 2 that eliminated the British Army and the Royal Navy rugby league teams from contention. [33] The fixture was originally set to be played away at Wests Warriors' Twyford Avenue Sports Ground venue in Acton, however both teams later agreed to swap the venue to the Headingley Rugby Stadium. [34]

    Following their victory against the Wests Warriors, Leeds Rhinos were drawn on 15 February to play St Helens away at the Totally Wicked Stadium on 14 March. [35] Leeds were ultimately knocked out of the 2025 Challenge Cup by St Helens during the Round 4 fixture. [36]

    Date and timeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVReport
    8 February; 12:00Round 3 Wests Warriors H Headingley Rugby Stadium W92–0 Hall (3), Lisone (3), Sinfield (2), Gannon (2), Lumb, Connor, Smith, Frawley, Edgell, Holroyd Connor (14/16)1,310Not televised [37]
    14 March; 20:00Round 4 Saintscolours.svg St Helens A Totally Wicked Stadium L14–22 Handley, Newman Connor (2/2 + 1 pen.)7,531 [38] The Sportsman [36]

    Transfers

    Gains

    PlayerClubContractDate
    Flag of England.svg Ryan Hall HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers 1 YearApril 2024 [39]
    Flag of Samoa.svg Keenan Palasia Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans 2 YearsOctober 2024 [40]
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Cooper Jenkins Norths Devils colours.svg Norths Devils 2 YearsOctober 2024 [40]
    Flag of England.svg Jake Connor Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants 2 YearsOctober 2024 [41]
    Flag of Fiji.svg Maika Sivo Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels 2 YearsOctober 2024 [42]
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ethan Clark-Wood Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans 1 YearFebruary 2025 [43]
    Flag of England.svg Kallum Watkins Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils End of seasonApril 2025 [44]
    Flag of England.svg Chris Hankinson Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils End of seasonAugust 2025 [45]

    Loans in

    PlayerClubLoan periodDate
    Flag of England.svg Joe Shorrocks Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils End of seasonAugust 2025 [46]

    Losses

    PlayerClubContractDate
    Flag of England.svg James Donaldson Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 2 YearsAugust 2024 [47]
    Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Rhyse Martin HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers 2 YearsAugust 2024 [48]
    Flag of Tonga.svg David Fusitu'a TBCSeptember 2024 [49]
    Flag of England.svg Corey Johnson Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles 2 YearsNovember 2024 [50]
    Flag of France.svg Justin Sangare Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils 2 YearsNovember 2024 [51]
    Flag of France.svg Mickaël Goudemand AlbiRLcolours.svg Racing Club Albi XIII End of Super XIII seasonNovember 2024 [52]
    Flag of England.svg Kieran Hudson YorkRLFCcolours.png York Knights 1 YearDecember 2024 [53]
    Flag of England.svg Leon Ruan HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers 2 YearsDecember 2024 [54]
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Momirovski LezignanRLcolours.PNG FC Lézignan XIII End of Super XIII seasonDecember 2024 [55]
    Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Luis Roberts Midlandshurricanescolours.png Midlands Hurricanes 1 YearFebruary 2025 [56]

    Loans out

    PlayerClubLoan periodDate
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt Frawley Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants Three weeksJune 2025 [57]
    Flag of England.svg Ben Littlewood Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils One week [f] August 2025 [58]
    Flag of England.svg Riley Lumb Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils One week [f] August 2025 [58]

    Squad

    First team squadCoaching staff

    Head coach

    Assistant coaches


    Legend:
    • (c) Captain(s)
    • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
    • Red card.svg = suspended
    • Cruz Roja.svg = injured
    • (gk) = Goal kicker

    Updated: 1 January 2025
    Source(s): Rhinos reveal squad numbers for 2025

    Notes

    1. Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge
    2. Ash Handley's testimonial match
    3. 5,000th match of Super League rugby [9]
    4. Attendance recorded across three fixtures.
    5. 1 2 Match played as part of a double bill following a Women's Super League match against the opponent's women's team. [21]
    6. 1 2 By special dispensation of the RFL; minimum loan period is usually two weeks.

    References

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    2. "Jake Connor shines on Leeds Rhinos debut as Wakefield Trinity lose Boxing Day clash". Total Rugby League. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
    3. Brocksom, Sam. "Leeds Rhinos 22 Wigan Warriors 4". Leeds Rhinos. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
    4. "Wakefield Trinity take down Leeds Rhinos in joyous Super League return". Total Rugby League. 15 February 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
    5. Cresswell, Matthew (22 February 2025). "Leeds ease to victory at Salford to claim first league win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
    6. Lanigan, Adam (2 March 2025). "Leeds cruise to victory over struggling Castleford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
    7. "Dragons beat Rhinos for first win of the season". BBC Sport. 8 March 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
    8. Lanigan, Adam (22 March 2025). "Leeds edge past champions Wigan in gripping contest". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
    9. Smith, Peter. "Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad named to face Warrington Wolves as 2 stars reach Super League milestones". Yorkshire Evening Post. Leeds. Retrieved 27 March 2025. The match is the 5,000th Super League fixture and will be played one day before the 29th anniversary of the first Super League game, between Paris and Sheffield Eagles in the French capital on March 29, 1996.
    10. Cartwright, Phil (28 March 2025). "Warrington stage late fightback to beat Leeds". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
    11. Kosky, Ben (10 April 2025). "McDonnell scores four tries as Rhinos rout Salford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
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    16. McAllister, Josh (26 May 2025). "Super League attendance watch as only one fixture breaks 10,000 barrier in Round 12". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
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    30. Freeman, Jay (30 August 2025). "Leeds thrash Hull FC to dent hosts' play-off hopes". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
    31. "Wakefield awarded 48-0 win for Salford cancellation". BBC Sport . 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
    32. "New format for Betfred Challenge Cup in 2025". Rugby Football League . 25 June 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
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    34. Bower, Aaron (28 January 2025). "Leeds Rhinos confirm venue switch, kick-off time for Challenge Cup clash". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
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