
Ex-Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC man Jack Walker has named the ultimate XIII of players he’s played alongside with some serious talent on show.
Walker has recently signed with Sheffield Eagles after his release from Hull FC at the end of the 2024 season and the 25-year-old has named several Hull FC teammates in his ultimate XIII.
Debuting at Leeds Rhinos, Walker spent five years at Headingley with a brief loan to Hull FC before moving to Bradford Bulls. That was cut short when he returned to Super League with Hull KR before crossing the city to return to the Black and Whites for 2024.
Given the time he spent at Leeds Rhinos, most of his selections are understandably former Leeds Rhinos teammates with 12 of the 18-man squad selected previously wearing Amber and Blue.
Walker has also selected himself with the final five spots split between Hull FC and Hull KR to create what is a brilliant squad.
The full-back revealed his ultimate XIII and listed his five honourable mentions on his Tik Tok account where he has documented most of the off-season grind he undertook without a club.
Leeds Rhinos dominate Jack Walker’s best XIII of teammates

Credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Introducing the idea, Walker explained: “I’m going to base this off of players that I have played with – the best 13 that I have played with. I’ve done one to 18 so after the 13, I’m just going to say honourable mentions because there are some serious players who didn’t quite make the cut.”
Getting into the players and he started strong with himself as he built his entire one through seven of Leeds Rhinos teammates.
Walker said: “Full-back, obviously me. Winger, Tom Briscoe – I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tom Briscoe get put on his back so he goes in on the wing.
“Centre, Joel Moon. He just could create something out of nothing, he’s an unbelievable player. In the other centre, I’m going Kallum Watkins. I don’t really need to say anywhere there, everyone knows how good he is.
“On the wing it has to be Ryan Hall, the GOAT on the wing. Easy in the half-backs, it’s Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire. I don’t need to say anything about that.”
With all of his backs done, Walker moved into the forward pack which was again dominated by Leeds Rhinos but did see two Hull FC players – one present and one past – make the cut.
Walker added: “Prop forward, big Herman (Ese’ese) takes that spot. My hooker is Danny Houghton who has just been solid his whole career.
“The other prop forward – Mitch Garbutt. Holy s**t, that man can cart a ball in! I’ve never seen a bloke carry as hard as him off a kick-off. I feel sorry for anyone who has had to tackle him off a kick-off. If you need a quick play the ball, send Garbutt in.
“Back-rowers, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Carl Ablett. Some serious players there, God knows how many Grand Finals – eight to ten Grand Finals speaks for itself.”
His choice at loose forward may surprise some but Walker put forward his argument very passionately as he handed the number 13 shirt to current Leeds Rhinos co-captain Cam Smith.
Explaining that choice, he said: “At 13 is a guy who I think is really starting to come into his own. He’s got everything, it’s strange for me to say because he’s so big but he’s got footwork, he’s got pass, he’s got decision-making. He’s strong and unbelievably fit. He’s like the second fittest at his club and he’s got everything you need as a professional rugby league player and it’s Cameron Smith.”
Moving into his honourable mentions and two current Hull KR players got the nod, including Man of Steel Mikey Lewis, whilst one Hull FC youngster and a former teammate at both Leeds and Hull was selected.
Walker explained: “Honourable mention is Mikey Lewis. Sorry mate, you don’t make the cut. Davy Litten I think is also going to be an unbelievable player and we saw a glimpse of it against Wigan. He’s just an athlete, I honestly think he’s going to be some player in the next two years.
“Elliot Minchella at loose, he just missed out to Cam Smith but he’s another unbelievable player. Liam Sutcliffe and Ash Handley who I think is going to go really well this year purely because I think he’s wasted on the wing.”
The 25-year-old had seemingly filmed his video before the news of Maika Sivo’s season-ending injury which could see Handley shifted back to the wing, however, Walker put forward his argument for why the Leeds Rhinos man would flourish at centre.
He argued: “I think Ash is so skilful with his hands that once he gets the ball in his hands a bit more, he’s got the flick and he’s got the step, he’s rapid so he’s going to beat people. He’s more than just a finisher. He’s more than just speed, he’s got the speed as well.
“I think Ash at centre this year will be really good for Leeds. That’s my ultimate 13 that I have played with.”
It’s a team that we’d love to have seen take the field together at some point, although the forward pack would have to do some big shifts given the number of backs he named.
Here is Jack Walker’s ultimate XIII and honourable mentions of player he has played with.
Full-back: Jack Walker
Winger: Tom Briscoe
Centre: Joel Moon
Centre: Kallum Watkins
Winger: Ryan Hall
Stand-off: Danny McGuire
Half-back: Rob Burrow
Prop: Herman Es’ese
Hooker: Danny Houghton
Prop: Mitch Garbutt
Second-row: Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Second-row: Carl Ablett
Loose forward: Cameron Smith
Honourable Mentions
Mikey Lewis
Davy Litten
Elliot Minchella
Liam Sutcliffe
Ash Handley
