Leeds Rhinos are on track for their highest season finish since 2017, and despite a narrow loss to Wakefield Trinity are still well in the hunt for a top four playoff spot.
Brad Arthur has revolutionised this current Rhinos side after too many poor seasons under Rohan Smith, Richard Agar and David Furner.
However, Leeds cannot allow this year to be a flash in the pan. They must continue to strengthen the side if they want to build back to where they once were.
Leeds’ current side is arguably the best they have had since the 2015 treble winning season, and with Jake Connor top of the Man of Steel rankings before they were privatised, and Kallum Watkins has been in incredible form since his return to the Rhinos, Arthur’s men need to build on this season, especially if the Australian is not going to be at the club next season.
Where Leeds Rhinos need to strengthen for 2026
The Rhinos seem to have cover all across the pitch, however one position fans seem to agree on being the weak link is hooker.
Andy Ackers is Leeds’ first choice nine on paper, but since his injury in March, Jarrod O’Connor has been ever-present in the dummy half role.
The former Salford man returned to the side in the defeat to St Helens, but 10 minutes at the end of the game gave him little chance to impress.
There are no questions about O’Connor’s defensive efforts, and it is worth noting that he is not a natural hooker. He is a loose forward by trade that has been moulded into a hooker. Averaging just under 50 tackles per game, the 23-year-old is a workhorse and doesn’t take a backwards step when it comes to tackling.
However, it is his attacking capabilities that make fans think there should be a change. Too many times this season, wayward passes from the ruck have meant halfbacks have had to spend that extra second or two bringing in the ball, which allows oncoming defenders time to halt any progress of an attack.
Compare that to Ackers, he averaged only 40 tackles in the first four games of the season. However, his eye for attack is better than O’Connor’s, and his overall passing game is more accurate.
A number of Rhinos fans would prefer a new number nine, but would still like to keep O’Connor at the club. Ackers is out of contract at the end of 2026, so it perhaps wouldn’t be until then where we see a new signing come in. Of all the positions on the field, the hooking role is the one that Leeds need to strengthen to improve that little bit more.
Who is still out of contract at Headingley?
Leeds Rhinos’ retention for next year has seen the likes of Mikolaj Oledzki, James McDonnell and Tom Holroyd all earn new deals with the club, but there is still more work to be done.
Morgan Gannon is already confirmed to be heading down under to join NZ Warriors for 2026. His replacement is already at the club though as Kallum Watkins will slot into the second row, a position he made his own at Salford, partnering McDonnell and with James Bentley as cover.
Sam Lisone is also leaving the club, after Hull FC announced his signing earlier this month.
That leaves Ethan Clark-Wood and Matt Frawley as the two players set to leave the club at the season’s end.
Frawley, who joined Huddersfield Giants on a month’s loan, will exit the club when his contract expires, with Clark-Wood expected to do the same. The latter has only been given one opportunity at Super League, but should he impress in any other chances he gets, that decision could change. The new quota rulings could also mean that the outside back could remain at AMT Headingley for another year.
