Former Leeds Rhinos and Featherstone Rovers hooker locks in club for 2023

The Leeds Rhinos academy is one of the best in Super League and has been for some time forming the backbone of their success during the Golden Generation as they won eight Grand Finals in 14 seasons thanks to a core of home grown players.

However, the quality of the side meant that some great young players were lost as there was simply no space for them at the club.

Danny Williams and Jodie Broughton both came through the Rhinos’ ranks and were both top Super League wingers but were let go by the club.

The same could be said of future Man of Steel Luke Gale who never played for the club in his first stint outside an appearance on Boxing Day against Wakefield Trinity in 2007 going into 2008.

He was joined at this time by hooker Ben Kaye. Kaye made four appearances for the Rhinos’ first team as they went on to win the Grand Final in 2008.

However, with future Man of Steel Paul McShane also coming through the ranks at the time as well as having star nine Matt Diskin already at the club prior to signing former Australia and New South Wales skipper Danny Buderus from Newcastle Knights.

He then joined Harlequins in 2009 leaving in 2010 for Featherstone Rovers when he made 96 appearances and even more at Halifax making a total of 126 appearances for them ahead of joining Batley Bulldogs in 2021.

The club has now confirmed he will be staying in 2023 as they look to keep a strong squad together after making the Championship Grand Final in 2022 but have lost Luke Hooley to Leeds and halfback Tom Gilmore to Widnes Vikings.

Ben White has already been signed on in 2023.