LEEDS RHINOS head coach Brad Arthur has named Ash Handley as the club’s captain for next season.
Kallum Watkins has been named as vice captain whilst the Rhinos have also released their squad numbers.
Man of Steel winner Jake Connor has been rewarded with the number seven shirt after a stellar debut season at the club in 2025.
Keenan Palasia takes the 13 jersey with Cameron Smith moved to 17, while Kallum Watkins has been awarded the number 11 shirt vacated by the departure of James Bentley.
Jarrod O’Connor has been given the number nine shirt whilst fellow hooker and new signing Danny Levi has opted for 23.
Arthur said: “I am delighted to make Ash our sole captain this season. I think that is right for where this squad is at present and gives us clear direction.
“Ash did a great job last year and importantly he is typically on the field for the full eighty minutes, which is important with the added input of the captain in the modern game.
“He has matured into a natural leader. The positive thing with this group now is that we have leaders across the team and have one sole voice as captain will be important to channel us in the right direction.
“Kallum is an impressive individual who speaks through his actions on the field. He is experienced, both for club and country, and has previously captained at Leeds and Salford, so he will be a great support for Ash.
“The squad numbers are part of the game here in Super League and I know they mean different things to different players. I have had a one-on-one review with each player individually whilst we have been away and we have got total commitment to where we all want to go this season, regardless of the number on back of the shirt.
“We have built a strong squad and there is also a chance for our young players to see a way that they can progress into that group too,” added Arthur.
Leeds squad numbers: 1 Lachlan Miller, 2 Maika Sivo, 3 Harry Newman, 4 Ash Handley, 5 Ryan Hall, 6 Brodie Croft, 7 Jake Connor, 8 Mikolaj Oledzki, 9 Jarrod O’Connor, 10 Tom Holroyd, 11 Kallum Watkins, 12 James McDonnell, 13 Keenan Palasia, 14 Chris Hankinson, 15 Cooper Jenkins, 16 Ethan O’Neill, 17 Cameron Smith, 18 Max Simpson, 19 Jeremiah Mata’utia, 20 Presley Cassell, 21 Alfie Edgell, 22 Riley Lumb, 23 Danny Levi, 24 Ned McCormack, 25 Ben Littlewood, 26 Tom Nicholson-Watton.