Jon Wilkin suggests Leeds Rhinos are being replaced as Super League’s third biggest team

Today, Leeds Rhinos take on Catalans Dragons which already feels like a big game for Rohan Smith’s side despite the early stage of the season we’re in.

The Rhinos won their opening game against Salford Red Devils without playing brilliantly. Then in Round Two, they arguably played better – at least in the first half – but discipline would cost them as they would go on to lose to Hull KR.

Now they take on last year’s Grand Finalists and a side seen as genuine title contenders whilst a question mark still looms over the Rhinos and their credentials despite their big signings who haven’t really had the opportunity to make the splash many expected partly due to the weather in this early stage of the season.

The stakes for this game have been raised again as well with Jon Wilkin suggesting on Sky Sports that the Dragons may have replaced Leeds as the third big club in the league.

Wilkin said: “Catalans Dragons are title contenders. We have Wigan Warriors, St Helens and now Catalans Dragons. It’s amazing that they’re now in that third position a position that was once held by the Leeds Rhinos for a long time.”

Leeds Rhinos put good record on the line

Throughout Super League history, Leeds Rhinos have always had a good record at home against the Catalans Dragons.

It didn’t take long for the Dragons to register their first home win over the Rhinos which they did in 2007, their second season in Super League.

The French side though would have to wait until the play-offs in 2014 when they notched an upset win at Headingley to dump Leeds out of the running after a Tom Briscoe error.

Admittedly, the Dragons have had more joy since then and the ending of the golden generation but even in seasons like the 2019 campaign when Leeds struggled they notched two wins over the Dragons at Headingley.

Last year was similar with Leeds coming back from 22-8 down at halftime to win 32-22 thanks to seven tries on an off day with the boot from Rhyse Martin.

The away fixture was very different and Leeds will want to avoid a repeat as they were thumped by the Dragons away from home.