Leeds Rhinos will play Widnes Vikings in the Challenge Cup Third Round, and there aren’t many people more excited about the tie than Jarrod O’Connor.
The Leeds hooker, who signed a new two-year deal with the club last week, will have the chance to return to his former club for the first time since departing for the Rhinos.
A member of the Vikings academy, both O’Connor and Sam Walters left Widnes in March 2019 for an undisclosed fee to join the Leeds set-up, and made their debuts in the season after.
The Rhinos’ new number nine has become a regular face in the Leeds side, and was part of the club’s Grand Final squad in 2022, where they lost to St Helens.
He has earned the nine jersey this season, taking it from Andy Ackers who has now left the club.
Danny Levi will be his competition for this year, but the 24-year-old is hoping for a positive campaign both individually and as a team.
Leeds’ competitive season starts at the Vikings later this week in the Cup, in a match that will be broadcast live on The Sportsman.
O’Connor spoke to Serious About Rugby League shortly after the draw was announced, and expressed his excitement for finally returning to his former club.
He said: “I’ve said to everyone, I’ve been asking for the past couple of years that I want to get Widnes away.
“Obviously, I’ve never actually played them since I’ve left academy, I’ve never gone back there or anything, so I’m really excited to go there.”
Widnes defeated community side Thatto Heath Crusaders in the second round, and quite convincingly too. However, if the amateur outfit had managed to pull off an upset, there would still be a connection for O’Connor in round three.
“Even on the slight chance of Thatto Heath [winning], that’s actually where I started playing anyway, so it’s quite funny that both previous teams are there.”
Leeds Rhinos star excited about Widnes Vikings return
One thing about drawing Widnes in the Cup, as opposed to any other team, is the fact that they play on a 4G pitch and not grass.
Anyone who has played on a plastic pitch before knows the effect it can have, but the advantage Leeds have is that one of the pitches at their training facility is AstroTurf, so they will be more than ready for the tie.
Asked about the thought of playing on a 4G pitch, O’Connor responded: “A lot of them [Leeds teammates] don’t like it,but I think my knees were conditioned to it when I used to train on it all the time, so I’m not too concerned.
“I think some of the older lads with the joint complaints won’t be looking forward to it too much.”
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