Leeds Rhinos new coach laments Lancashire dominance of Super League

Newly-appointed Leeds Rhinos assistant coach Jamie Langley has bemoaned the Lancashire dominance of Super League during his absence from the sport.

Langley joined Sale Sharks in May 2021 and has spent the last three seasons serving as the rugby union side’s defensive coach before his Headingly appointment earlier this month.

He had spoke with BBC West Yorkshire Sport about his return, explaining that rugby league was always in his blood and so a return felt natural.

The former Great Britain international also revealed how the move to the 13-man code came back about, confirming that it had been ‘a bit of a whirlwind’.

Langley said: “It’s been great, a bit of a whirlwind. I sat down with Bleasey and Brad last Thursday, we had a good conversation and following that, they pretty much said ‘When can you start, can you get in for Monday?’ Fortunately, I was able to so we hit the ground running.”

He’ll join a coaching staff that features last year’s interim coach Chev Walker and Langley spoke positively about the opportunity.

“An opportunity presented itself and I put myself forward and as I say, it transpired from there. So I was really grateful for the chance. Obviously Leeds is a fantastic club with a rich history and you’d think now looking at where the club’s at and the team’s at, in a really good position and poised to kick on.”

New Leeds Rhinos boss calls for Yorkshire clubs to stand up

Being away from rugby league for so long, he had conceded that he’d have to switch hats but that it was ‘like riding a bike’ when it came to coaching.

However, he was less certain when it came to the predictions of where Leeds Rhinos would finish in 2025, batting the question back before calling on an upturn in the performance of Super League’s Yorkshire teams.

“I’m probably not the right person to answer that question,” Langley responded when asked how he thought Leeds Rhinos would fare.

“I think obviously with the squad we’ve got in place and the investment and under Brad’s tutelage, looking externally from the fans’ perspective, there will probably be some high expectations there.

“Just being on the periphery having been in union and being a proud Yorkshireman, it’s irked me a bit not to see too many Yorkshire teams in that play-off picture come the end of the season over the last two years.”

Leeds Rhinos have failed to make the play-offs in the past two seasons whilst one of Langley’s former clubs, Hull KR, have made the semi-finals and Grand Final in the past two years.

Langley noted: “Hull KR have done well but they’re the only team really flying the flag. I’d personally like to see that change with Leeds this year. Wakefield and Castleford will be much improved so that’s something I’d like to see personally as a proud Yorkshireman.”