A Super League icon has revealed he is set to play on next season, despite nearing his 35th birthday.
Centre-turned-second-rower Kallum Watkins is under contract at Leeds Rhinos until the end of 2026 and expected to take a behind the scenes role with the club when he eventually hangs up his boots.
But speaking at the club’s pre-season media day, coach Brad Arthur said it is “likely” Watkins will play on for at least another year and that was confirmed by the player himself.
“It’s on the cards, definitely,” Watkins revealed. “I signed for this year and next year is an option.”
The 34-year-old, whose next birthday is in March, came through Rhinos’ youth system and made his debut in 2008.
A three-time Grand Final champion, including in Rhinos’ treble-winning campaign 11 years ago, he left Leeds midway through 2019 to join NRL outfit Gold Coast Titans.
He returned to Super League in 2020 with Salford Red Devils and was a key member of their side until returning to Leeds last April, as a consequence of the north west club’s financial crisis.
Kallum Watkins talks Leeds Rhinos future
Initially signed by Leeds on a short-term deal, that was quickly extended to cover 2026 and his impressive form earned a recall to the England squad for last autumn’s Ashes Test series against Australia.
Of his plans for next year, Watkins added: “We’ll see what happens. For me, I want to carry on playing.
“I am still enjoying it; it is tough, but my body is holding up pretty well so we’ll see how we go through the year and go from there.”
Rhinos have already agreed new deals with Lachie Miller, Ash Handley, Keenan Palasia, Cooper Jenkins, Jake Connor, Alfie Edgell and Max Simpson who were all due to come out of contract at the end of 2026.
Harry Newman and James McDonnell have both signed with new NRL club Perth Bears from next year and, as things stand, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jarrod O’Connor, Cameron Smith, Ned McCormack and Chris Hankinson are entering the final year of their Leeds deal, along with Watkins.
