CAN Leeds land their first trophy since 2020, when Richard Agar’s side lifted the Challenge Cup by beating the old Salford at an empty Wembley (due to the pandemic)?
Centre Harry Newman has made that his mission before he heads off to Perth Bears for their inaugural NRL campaign in 2027, with Rhinos team-mate, second-row James McDonnell, making the same move.
Foundations were laid with a fourth-placed finish last year, but Leeds fell short in their first play-off campaign since 2022, losing their home eliminator against St Helens, although it was tight.
Coach Brad Arthur is sticking around for another season, providing welcome continuity, and he can again call on influential stars in Lachlan Miller, Brodie Croft and Jake Connor, while there have been a sprinkling of signings.
In addition Fiji winger Maika Sivo, a prolific try-scorer with Parramatta Eels, is on the way back after missing the entire 2025 campaign with a knee injury,
Other players have another year of experience to call on, and sporting director Ian Blease has been busy sorting out various contract extensions as Leeds look to create some stability.
There are certainly grounds for optimism for the AMT Headingley faithful.
One to watch
Given he was injured in a warm-up game and ruled out for the whole of the 2025 season, Fiji winger Maika Sivo really is like a new signing.
The 32-year-old, who needed anterior cruciate ligament surgery, bagged 104 tries in 115 games for Parramatta Eels and has eleven in twelve for his country.
There’s sure to be some concern that Sivo may have lost some of his edge, but all being well, he will soon find his feet – and the line.
Talking tactics with Jodie Cunningham
Keeping Brad Arthur at the helm for another season may have been the most important piece of the puzzle for the Rhinos.
He has since assembled a more mobile pack for 2026 with the aim of matching teams in the middle where they have previously struggled for territory and have often had to play their way out of backfield.
Leeds’ pace and unpredictability around the spine will put fear into most defences with Lachlan Miller, Brodie Croft and Jake Connor all mavericks in their own right.
Miller showed glimpses of brilliance in 2025 and, with some defensive improvements, could easily be in contention for the Man of Steel award, especially if Leeds continue with a freedom to play expansive rugby from anywhere on the field.
Potential milestones
Jake Connor needs 49 points for 1,000 in his career
Ryan Hall needs 3 tries for 350 in his career
Kallum Watkins needs 20 appearances for 300 for Leeds
Squad: 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
Ins: Jeremiah Mata’utia (North Queensland), Ethan O’Neill (Leigh), Danny Levi (Canberra)
Outs: Morgan Gannon (New Zealand), Sam Lisone (Hull FC), Matt Frawley (retired), Ethan Clark-Wood (released), Andy Ackers (Bradford), Jack Smith (York), Jack Sinfield (Wakefield), James Bentley (Warrington), Toby Warren (Midlands)
RLW predicts: 5th
First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 517 (February 2026)