Leeds Rhinos man sends important message as he reveals major change that’s transformed his game

Leeds Rhinos second-rower James Bentley is starting 2025 in a positive fashion and it could be down to a major change that’s transforming his game.

He’s started in all six Rhinos Super League games so far, scoring an interception try against Salford Red Devils in round 2, and played in their Challenge Cup defeat to St Helens too.

He also made his 100th Super League appearance against Castleford Tigers in round 3 and is playing bigger minutes than ever before.

As part of a project with the club’s foundation, Bentley credits his improvement in fitness to cutting down on drinking alcohol.

Talking to the Rhinos’ media, he said: “When I went sober for a year, I felt a lot fitter, my diet was a lot better on the back of reducing the amount of alcohol I was intaking and having a positive relationship now with it since I’ve introduced new habits.

“It’s improved my daily life and well-being, I’m a lot more positive and in a better place mentally, I think that’s the main thing, and then physically off the back of that, you feel a lot better.

“I’d say the main thing is just reaching out for help or speaking to someone, then going from there. I think that’s the main first step, the hardest one to take and then from there, everything’s pretty easy compared to that.”

Leeds Rhinos man seeing off-field changes make on-field impact

This positive change is definitely helping Bentley on the pitch too, making 455 metres in 78 carries in just six Super League games so far, an average of 5.83m per carry.

He’s also made 16 tackle busts and eight offloads, showing that he’s adding to his game going forward.

Not only has he been working on his attack but his defence has significantly improved, making 208 tackles in the six games, giving an average of around 35 tackles per game.

He’s becoming a key man for the Rhinos so far in 2025 and head coach Brad Arthur will be hoping for even more as the season progresses.

The Leeds Rhinos Foundation is encouraging fans and players alike to join them in their new campaign, Give Drinking Less A ‘Try’, in partnership with alcohol and drugs support service, Forward Leeds.

You can find out more about this initiative via their website.

For @leedsrhinos player, James Bentley, cutting down his alcohol intake wasn’t just about improving his game – it was about improving his physical and mental fitness both on and off the field💪

Now, he’s encouraging others to take that first step too👇 pic.twitter.com/vbGo0TNZaR

— Leeds Rhinos Foundation (@RugbyLeeds) March 31, 2025