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Leeds Rhinos forward touted to be among Super League’s best as star discloses injury news

Leeds Rhinos hooker Jarrod O’Connor has tipped a returning teammate to become one of the best front-rowers in Super League.

O’Connor reckons Tom Holroyd is set for a big year after an injury-hit campaign in 2024, when two long-term concussions limited him to only six competitive games.

Holroyd made his comeback in Rhinos’ Boxing Day win against Wakefield Trinity and is set to step up his return in Leeds’ final pre-season hit-out, at home to Wigan Warriors in two weeks’ time.

“He is bigger than ever and he’s still one of the fittest in the team,” O’Connor said of the 23-year-old who was capped by England in a mid-season Test against France two years ago.

“Hopefully he can get back to his form in 2023 when he was one of the best props in Super League, so I am looking forward to playing with him again.”

Leeds Rhinos hooker outlines possible return date after pre-season injury

- 08/01/2025 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League - Leeds Rhinos Media Day - AMT Headingley Stadium, Leeds, England - Jarrod O'Connor.

Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Rhinos’ small pack struggled against bigger opponents last year, but with Holroyd back in contention and Keenan Palasia and Cooper Jenkins having been recruited from Australia, O’Connor is confident they will be on the front foot in 2025.

“I definitely think we’ve got a lot of competition,” he said. “I think in the first few rounds one or two might miss out because we’ve got that many top-class forwards.

“It’s really exciting, especially as a nine – you want to be playing with a big pack that’s going to get you fast play-the-balls, so I am looking forward to getting a competitive game with everyone.”

At just 23, O’Connor is only three games shy of 100 Rhinos appearances, but that milestone will have to wait after he suffered a knee injury in the Christmas fixture.

“I think round three or four is what we’re aiming for,” O’Connor said of his return. “It [pre-season] is probably the best time to do it – I’d rather miss three games than eight or 10.

“I am looking forward to getting back, but I’ll get some upper body weights done and keep moving through it.”

O’Connor, son of former Wigan and Great Britain prop and current Sky TV pundit Terry O’Connor, has played in Rhinos last 78 competitive games during a near-three-year run. “This is my first injury,” he said of the setback. “I snapped my ATFL (anterior talofibular ligament – in an ankle) last year, but you don’t actually need that, so I just strapped it and played the next week.

“I have been quite fortunate so far. This is just a random, unlucky one and hopefully, I’ll get back from it and I’ll be fine.

“I don’t think anyone’s got through a career without being injured, so it’s just part of it.”

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