BATLEY BULLDOGS have signed young hooker Elliott Fox from Leeds – and he is ready to step up to the challenge of senior rugby.
Coach James Ford, going into his second season at the rudder, needs to address the loss of experienced Alistair Leek, who has retired after 14 years with the club.
And he is hoping to bring out the potential in Fox, originally a product of community club Stanningley who progressed through the Leeds Scholarship under Mark Butterill.
Leg and back injuries hampered his transition to the Academy, but he made progress in 2025 and played in both the Academy and Reserves Grand Finals, both against Warrington.
Guided by Chev Walker, the Rhinos won the Reserves showdown 8-0 at AMT Headingley but then lost the Academy clash 32-18 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Fox made his last Leeds appearance in the second team’s 24-22 golden-point defeat by Warrington in their play-off semi-final at Victoria Park last month.
”Elliott arrives following a stellar rise through the Leeds Rhinos pathway, and recently made waves in their Reserves,” said Batley.