Jake Connor on the advantage that Leeds Rhinos have and fixture launch verdict

Leeds Rhinos signing Jake Connor has admitted that the Super League season feels a little bit closer after the fixture launch with the former Huddersfield man assessing the early games.

It was confirmed on Wednesday night that Leeds Rhinos would host Wakefield Trinity in Round One before travelling to Salford for Round Two. A full reveal of the fixtures would come on Thursday morning and Connor gave his opinion on some of the early standouts.

Speaking on the Leeds Rhinos YouTube channel, the 30-year-old was asked if the season start feels closer now that everyone knows who they’re playing.

“Yeah, definitely,” the versatile back responded, confirming: “We’ve seen them this morning. We’ve got Wakey, Salford and Cas and then Huddersfield in the Rivals Round so it’s pretty exciting.”

Rivals Round takes place in Round Eight and will see Connor and the Rhinos go up against his former club, something that Connor can’t wait for as he recalled previous battles against Leeds.

“I still remember ten or eleven years ago when I was on the other side of it and coming here (Headingley) in the Rivals Round. They were always great games and good games to watch. It’s a local derby for us so we need to be up for it.”

Jake Connor gives early verdict on new Leeds Rhinos coach

Another local derby is the game against Wakefield Trinity that comes in Round One, however, Leeds Rhinos will take on the promoted side far before then when they face off in the traditional Boxing Day friendly.

That was something Connor noted when he reacted to the Round One game, one that he’s described as ‘tough’.

“They had a great year last year and they’ve signed well on top of that so it will be a tough opening round,” the new Leeds Rhinos recruit said.

“We’ll get a good look at them on Boxing Day and see what they’re about but I’m sure the focus is on Round One.”

That fixture will be part of Leeds’ pre-season schedule but the work has already begun with Brad Arthur already overseeing sessions. Some of those will take place at Headingley, something that Connor feels could be an advantage for the Rhinos.

He noted: “Not many teams have got the joys of training on their own pitch like we have. The field is in good condition and it’s good for us to get a feel of it and get practising on it.”

Whilst Connor is a new face at Headingley this year, he isn’t the newest recruit with that title going to the recently-appointed assistant coach Jamie Langley and Connor revealed his early impressions.

“He’s been great,” Connor said.

“He was a player but I’d never seen him on the coaching side of things, he’s come in and been great for us. There have been a few tough wrestle sessions but it’s been enjoyable as well.”