Leeds Rhinos issue response and explain stance after Sam Lisone joins Hull FC

Leeds Rhinos sporting director Ian Blease has responded to the news that Sam Lisone has penned a contract with Hull FC for next season.

The Black and Whites announced the switch this evening with Lisone penning a two-year deal with Hull from the start of next season. Hull’s gain is very much Leeds’ loss, with the prop’s departure coming as a huge blow to the West Yorkshire outfit.

Lisone has been one of Leeds’ standout performers this season, scoring seven tries in 19 appearances and Blease says in his statement that the 31-year-old has produced his best rugby under current head coach Brad Arthur. As such, the Rhinos tried to keep him and spoke about extending his stay with the club into a fourth year and beyond, having joined in 2023.

However, their efforts were unsuccessful with Lisone this week informing the club of his intention to leave Headingley at the end of the current season.

What Leeds Rhinos’ Ian Blease said on Sam Lisone

Following the announcement by Hull this evening, who have made Lisone the first signing announced for the 2026 season, Blease said: “We will be sad to see Sam leave the club and we were speaking to his management about a potential deal for 2026.

“He has been able to secure a long term deal on terms that we were unable to match within our salary cap constraints.

“We are committed to building our squad and rewarding success, unfortunately that means in a salary cap sport that you can not keep everyone all the time.

“Sam has produced his best rugby under Brad Arthur and I am sure he will remain committed to the group so he finishes his time at the club in the best possible manner.”

Lisone joined the Rhinos from Gold Coast Titans ahead of the 2023 season and in the two and a half seasons that have passed since he has made 67 appearances and touched down for 13 tries.