Leeds Rhinos 2025 squad numbers confirmed with Jake Connor, Ash Handley and Ryan Hall decisions made

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed their squad numbers for 2025, alongside a “no guarantees” warning from coach Brad Arthur.

Rhinos today (Wednesday) announced a 30-man full-time squad, including four youngsters who have yet to make their first team debut, but Arthur insisted places in his first-choice 17 aren’t secure.

Arthur delayed revealing his roster until after Rhinos’ opening pre-season game, against Wakefield Trinity on Boxing Day, when all Leeds’ available players were given a run-out.

“The squad numbers system is something that was new to me from the NRL, but I understand it is part of the game in Super League,” the coach said.

“The players know the squad numbers don’t guarantee anything, but it does mark another step towards the start of the season.”

Ryan Hall has regained the number five shirt he wore from 2009-2018 following his return to Rhinos from Hull KR.

Last year’s number five, Ash Handley, moves up to number four, in place of the departed Paul Momirovski.

That’s in spite of Handley’s previous number being incorporated in his testimonial logo and Arthur added: “I think the selfless attitude of Ash Handley in changing his number in his testimonial year typifies where we are as a group.”

Recruits Maika Sivo (two) and Keenan Palasia (10) are included in the top-13 and second-rower James McDonnell climbs from 16 to 12, where he replaces Hull KR signing Rhyse Martin.

Leeds’ other two additions, Cooper Jenkins and Jake Connor, will wear 17 and 18 respectively.

Tom Holroyd – who received the number 10 jersey ahead of last season, but made only six appearances because of two long-term concussions – drops to number 19.

Second-rower Morgan Gannon rises from 20 to 16, despite not playing a competitive game in 2024, also because of concussion.

Centre Max Simpson, who has not played since suffering a major knee injury in the 2023 pre-season, is promoted from 28 to 26 ahead of an expected return to action in the new year.

Half-back Fergus McCormack, back-rower Presley Cassell, second-row Toby Warren and outside-back Jack Smith – are all included in the senior ranks and will be awarded a number when called into a matchday squad.

Sporting director Ian Blease said: “We are pleased with the squad we have assembled for 2025 and I’m sure those younger members will aspire to gain their squad number this season too, especially those who did so well in the second half of the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge.”

Leeds Rhinos’ 2025 squad numbers: 1 Lachlan Miller, 2 Maika Sivo, 3 Harry Newman, 4 Ash Handley, 5 Ryan Hall, 6 Brodie Croft, 7 Matt Frawley, 8 Mikolaj Oledzki, 9 Andy Ackers, 10 Keenan Palasia, 11 James Bentley, 12 James McDonnell, 13 Cameron Smith, 14 Jarrod O’Connor, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Morgan Gannon, 17 Cooper Jenkins, 18 Jake Connor, 19 Tom Holroyd, 20 Jack Sinfield, 21 Alfie Edgell, 22 Tom Nicholson-Watton, 23 Riley Lumb, 24 Ben Littlewood, 25 Ned McCormack, 26 Max Simpson. Full-time squad members without a number: Fergus McCormack, Presley Cassell, Toby Warren, Jack Smith.