Five out-of-contract players Leeds Rhinos should look to sign

Leeds’ recruitment plan for 2022 has not yet been outlined, though a number of their own stars will be without contracts at the end of this season.

The Rhinos are set to lose Alex Sutcliffe to Castleford, whilst others such as Konrad Hurrell and Rhyse Martin have futures that are still up in the air.

So, which five Super League out-of-contract players should Leeds look to sign?

Ligi Sao – Hull FC

He’s impressed greatly since joining Hull FC ahead of the 2020 season, and Ligi Sao has plenty of years ahead of him aged just 28. Brett Hodgson has always been a big fan of the forward which could see Sao extend his stay at the club, but if not then Leeds should look to add him to their front row because on his day he is an incredible threat. It would also make sense if the Rhinos lose Matt Prior back to Australia.

James Bentley – Leeds Rhinos

Leeds need more firepower in the pack and James Bentley would provide that in spades, despite being just 23 years of age. An absolute workhorse, the St Helens man has a massive future ahead of him, so Bentley’s signature would be a real coup for the Rhinos. Beginning his career at Bradford, the second-rower moved to Saints ahead of the 2018 season, but found his feet towards the back end of 2020 and now looks every bit a future England international. Bentley was also born in Leeds which could help sway things in the West Yorkshire club’s favour.

Dom Manfredi – Wigan Warriors

Having been linked with a move away from Wigan for the past few months, there is uncertainty about Dom Manfredi’s career at the Lancashire club. The winger has been at the Warriors since 2013, but has spent a lot of time on the sidelines. Still only 27, Manfredi would, however, offer a lot to Leeds, particularly when considering that the Rhinos have been plagued by injuries out wide.

Theo Fages – St Helens

It’s no secret that Leeds need a halfback following the retirement of Kyle Eastmond and the departure of Rob Lui at the end of the season, so who better than Theo Fages – a Grand Final winner in the past two seasons? Though he’s rumoured to have signed for Huddersfield from 2022, the pull of Leeds could prove to be the difference, as well as the guarantee of a halfback spot.