IT’S been a busy close-season in south Leeds, with Hunslet pushing forward their plan for a new ownership model – away from supporters to private investors – and coach Kyle Trout tweaking the squad with the help of freshly-installed director of rugby Keith Senior.
The intention is to make the club fit for the future, both financially and competitively.
While 2024 was memorable with that against-the-odds promotion from League One, 2025 was far more of a toil, with Dean Muir departing and Trout stepping up from assistant but unable to avoid a basement finish in the old second tier.
The 34-year-old has brought in some fresh thinking and some fresh faces, including the experience of winger (and Hunslet old boy) Mo Agoro and hooker Bailey Aldridge from Oldham, utility back Matty Dawson-Jones and prop Eddie Battye from Sheffield, halfback Dan Abram from Swinton and Rochdale centre Myles Harrop and forwards Emmerson Whittel and Australian brothers Elijah and Darcy Simpson.
Exciting back Billy Jowitt’s retention is also a boost offering much utility value to the squad.
One to watch
His domination at the club’s 2025 end-of-season awards reflected the impressive impact Billy Jowitt had in his first season after moving from Bradford Bulls, and the numerous squad additions should help the 24-year-old continue to shine in his second.
He was an ever-present last season, notched 11 tries and 27 goals, and turned out at fullback, centre, stand-off and scrum-half, proving valuable options for coach Kyle Trout, who says: “Billy is the ultimate competitor.”
Squad: 1 Billy Jowitt, 2 Coby Nichol, 3 Myles Harrop, 4 Matty Dawson-Jones, 5 Mo Agoro, 6 Lee Gaskell, 7 Dan Abram, 8 Harvey Hallas, 9 Bailey Aldridge, 10 Keelan Foster, 11 Harrison Gilmore, 12 Darcy Simpson, 13 Eddie Battye, 14 Cam Berry, 15 Emmerson Whittel, 16 Elijah Simpson, 17 Kevin Larroyer, 18 Jimmy Watson, 19 Mason Corbett, 20 Liam Carr, 21 Mackenzie Turner, 22 Jack Ward, 23 Lewis Hagan, 24 Jimmy Morgan, 26 Ethan O’Hanlon
Ins: Mo Agoro (Oldham), Emmerson Whittel (Rochdale), Eddie Battle (Sheffield), Dan Abram (Swinton), Darcy Simpson, Elijah Simpson (both Rochdale), Lewis Hagan (Bradford), Bailey Aldridge (Oldham), Zach McSwiney (Leeds), Myles Harrop (Rochdale), Jack Ward (unattached), Matty Dawson-Jones (Sheffield)
Outs: Jordan Syme (Rochdale), Ethan Wood (Rochdale), Greg Eden (North Wales)