Leeds Rhinos star tipped to make shock move and Headingley exit

There are plenty of Super League stars whose future is unclear and one of them is Leeds Rhinos star James Bentley.

A Grand Final and Challenge Cup winner with St Helens he joined his home town club in 2022 in a major coup for the Rhinos but despite some terrific performances has struggled for consistency due to suspensions and injuries.

His future is not yet decided and Jon Wilkin believes he could leave Headingley at the end of the year.

“It’s not necessarily that he’s a great pick-up for other teams but I just think that he signed from St Helens for Leeds at the peak of his powers, he was in exceptional form,” Wilkin said on Sky Sports.

“I just think that since he’s gone to Leeds it’s really not gone that well for him, he’s had a number of disciplinary issues and some injuries so maybe his market value isn’t the £125,000 that we’ve estimated but I sense an opportunity for a team.

“If you want a competitor, you need an element of grit, resilience and determination in your team, a strong and reliable back-rower then I think James Bentley could be a steal for somebody.

“I don’t think he’s going to command the price that he did when he went from St Helens to Leeds but there’s certain teams in this competition who will relish a James Bentley in their team.”

He also tipped two surprise potential suitors for him in the shape of rivals Huddersfield Giants and Wigan Warriors.

The Warriors are set to lose Kai Pearce-Paul in 2024 whilst the future of Chris McQueen is unclear.

Wilkin said:

“I think he leaves Headingley for a Huddersfield or a Wigan, that gritty sort of culture built on defence then he’s your man.”