Leeds Rhinos send young quartet out on Championship loan as squad depth highlighted

Leeds Rhinos have flexed their squad depth by sending out four of their first-team squad out on loan to the Championship.

Brad Arthur is expected to name an unchanged 17 for the fifth game in a row when the Rhinos host Wakefield Trinity on Friday night and such consistency is drawing results, with Leeds having won their last four matches.

They’ve also been very active in the loan market with both Harry Newman and Jeremiah Matautia sent out to Hull FC, with Tom Nicholson-Watton linking up with Castleford and Ben Littlewood remaining out on loan at York Knights.

Brad Arthur has also confirmed the club’s attempts to find a loan landing spot for off-season signing Ethan O’Neill, however, they’ve had no success in that venture but they have sent four other first-team squad members out on loan.

Of the four who have been sent out on loan to the Championship, only one has made Super League appearances for the Rhinos, but it’s testament to the Leeds’ squad health that none have been used given the fact most clubs have already had to delve deep into their roster in 2026.

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Young Leeds Rhinos quartet make loan moves

The quartet leaving on loan are Riley Lumb, who has made 24 appearances for Leeds and also featured on loan for Huddersfield this season, as well as Marcus Qareqare, Joe Diskin and Jacob Stead.

With the reserves not playing this week, Leeds have been keen to get game time for those in the squad and that’s been evident with their attempts to loan out Ethan O’Neill.

Whilst O’Neill needs Super League minutes, the club have allowed this quartet to head to the Championship with Lumb, Qareqare and Diskin joining Leeds-based club Hunslet for their game against Workington.

Meanwhile, Jacob Stead will play for Keighley Cougars against Halifax Panthers with the forward having previously scored two in two whilst on loan at the West Yorkshire club.

The Rhinos may not be the last Super League club to send out a number of their young stars on loan this weekend given the fact there are no reserve games on the calendar.