Australian forward has ‘agreed’ Leeds Rhinos deal in surprise switch

Amid Leeds Rhinos’ boss Brad Arthur suggesting that the club could make a signing before the deadline later this month, the Headingley club have now been strongly linked to sign an overseas Super League forward.

Arthur spoke on Tuesday at his weekly press conference, fielding questions about speculation linking the club to Hull FC forward Herman Ese’ese, to which he responded: “He is not coming at this stage.”

However, Arthur did add: “We’ve got 10 days, haven’t we? There could be something for us coming.”

Reports have since emerged in France that Catalans’ mid-season signing Edenn Rogers-Smith has ‘agreed’ a deal with the Rhinos, though it’s unclear if that’s an immediate switch to Leeds or for 2027.

It’s understood by Serious About Rugby League that Rogers-Smith was not the player that Arthur was hinting about, but that deal could emerge in 2027, especially as the article from L’Independant is referencing the state of play for Catalans in 2027.

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Who is potential Leeds Rhinos’ target Edenn Rogers-Smith?

Rogers-Smith signed for Catalans back in June with the forward playing a total of four games for Les Dracs since then. Each of those appearances have seen him start in the second-row and it would appear that will be his role if he were to sign for Leeds, particularly with James McDonnell being one of three Rhinos to leave for Perth Bears at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old Australian signed for Catalans after representing Carcassonne in the Super XIII competition in France, having previously come through the Sydney Roosters system.

There is also some versatility in his game as prior to joining Catalans, Rogers-Smith had played in the front-row when featuring in the New South Wales Cup, with prop forward being another position that Leeds are losing when Mikolaj Oledzki heads to the NRL.