Leeds Rhinos are set to begin their 2024 season in the final week of 2023 with their traditional festive friendly.
This is the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge up against new Championship side Wakefield Trinity.
The Rhinos are set to have a relatively strong side for the game given the big names already training in pre-season.
However, two names will be absent as they are set to return to training after Christmas in the shape of Paul Momirovsku and Brodie Croft, both new signings whose debuts are set to be pushed back.
It is likely to be the first game that sees Cameron Smith skipper the side as club captain for the first time and his teammate and a man who has skippered the side in the past Ash Handley has backed Smith to do well but admits he is unsure if he will be vice captain.
“I don’t know what it looks like for me. I’ll support Cam in the exact same way as I did last year. He’s a great leader. He’s come on over the last year, especially the last 12 months, on the field and off the field. I think he’s really sure of himself,” he said on BBC West Yorkshire Sport,
“I think he’s really content with who he is as a person. He’s similar to Donno (James Donaldson), he’s really caring and he wants to get to know people. He can have a conversation with anyone and you know he’d probably do anything for anyone as well.
“I think that’s probably the style of leadership that Cammie brings and then I can add my own a little bit and try to lead by example and try and have the professional side of how we train and stuff and what we do on the field by having action.
“I’ll help him in any way he wants me to. I’m there for him. I’m his mate first and foremost rather than a vice-captain or a leader in any way, I’ll just support him as much as I can.”
The Rhinos are also set to take on Bradford Bulls, Hunslet and Hull KR.
