Brad Arthur might have been keen to play down the importance of Leeds Rhinos’ squad numbers, but they do provide an inkling into the head coach’s thinking for 2025. Having come from the NRL, Arthur is new to the concept of squad numbers, but he will have been keen to pick numbers according to players’ standings within the first-team squad.
As such, while things will change over the course of the campaign, indications can be taken from Leeds‘ squad numbers, which were announced early on New Year’s Day. Here’s some of our immediate takeaways from the announcement.
Handley set for a new role
Ash Handley has worn the number five shirt since 2019, taking the squad number after Ryan Hall’s departure at the end of the 2018 Super League campaign. As such, it has become synonymous with him and it even features in his testimonial logo, with Leeds’ next game against Wigan set to be in honour of the England international.
However, Hall has reclaimed his old number after returning to Headingley and that has seen Handley take up the number four jersey. That’s enough to suggest that Handley could be set to play centre in 2025 as many suspected he would.
He is no stranger to the centre spot, in fact, he spent much of the 2018 season there prior to Hall’s departure, but it would seem as though he is preparing to move away from his natural wing position to step inside.
Gannon set for big year
Morgan Gannon endured the season from hell last year. The 21-year-old had high hopes of being able to kick on and further establish himself in the Leeds line-up, but a concussion injury saw him stood down for the entire campaign.
As such, he failed to play a single minute of competitive action in 2024. The back-rower has been training in pre-season, though, and it seems he is set for a big year at Headingley after moving up the squad number pecking order. Gannon wore 20 last time around but he’ll be seen with the number 16 on his back in 2025, placing him theoretically in Arthur’s first choice Leeds Rhinos 17.
Rhyse Martin’s exit means there’s a starting spot in the back-row up for grabs and while James McDonnell climbs up the ladder to take the 12 shirt ahead of round one, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gannon push for a starting spot as the season progresses.
Jake Connor challenged
The squad numbers aren’t the be all and end all, of course, but Connor being given 18 provides an indication that he isn’t guaranteed a spot in the Leeds line-up. The former Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC man probably wasn’t expected to feature inside the top 17, but it would seem as though he has a challenge on his hands to secure the game time he desires.
Connor’s versatility is a feather in his cap and given he can play anywhere across the backline, there’s a chance he might even end up seeing more game time than most due to injuries. Performances such as the one on Boxing Day will help his cause, scoring two tries for Leeds Rhinos against Wakefield Trinity, and if Lachlan Miller isn’t fully fit in time for round one, it seems Connor will be the man chosen to start the season at full-back, but beyond that remains to be seen.
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