Salford coach responds after Leeds Rhinos linked to Kallum Watkins

Salford Red Devils assistant coach Krisnan Inu has responded to reports linking the club’s captain Kallum Watkins with Leeds Rhinos.

The Red Devils saw off Leeds Rhinos on Saturday with Watkins bagging a brace in the 22-16 victory but reports soon emerged that the Headingley club were “keen” on signing their former player for the 2025 season.

Those reports came from The Daily Mirror before it was then clarified by Love Rugby League that no official approach had been made.

Moreover, Salford were uninterested in letting their captain leave which came as no surprise after Rowley lauded the praise on the 33-year-old in his post-match presser on Saturday.

Talking about Watkins, Rowley said: “Since I’ve been at this club I’ve never come across a player to have a bigger influence on other players than Kallum Watkins.

“We all feel the same at this club that we’re privileged to be able to work alongside Kallum. I thought he was fantastic today and absolutely deserved the man of the match.”

Speaking ahead of Salford’s clash with St Helens, Inu has now commented on the Leeds Rhinos links.

Salford coach rubbishes Leeds Rhinos reports

Krisnan Inu was on media duties for Salford ahead of their game against St Helens and batted back any reports that club captain Watkins could make a Leeds Rhinos return.

“I literally heard about it two minutes ago before coming here. I’ve heard nothing of it,” Inu told Love Rugby League.

He would go on to label the reports as “rumours” aimed at getting inside Watkins’ head, something he claimed would not work.

“He’s the captain of our club and I don’t see him going anywhere anytime soon. I think it’s just one of those rumours that are trying to get in his head, which I don’t think will work. There’s nothing from me, so if you want to ask you can hear it from the man himself.”

If Watkins were to have returned to Leeds Rhinos, he would have joined former teammate Ryan Hall who has been confirmed as signing for the club for the 2025 season.

However, given Watkins is contracted until the end of 2025 and Inu has firmly rejected the reports, it would appear that the second-rower will see out his contract at the Salford Community Stadium.

In fact, his form has seen him make a strong case for a possible contract extension with Watkins playing in all 20 of Salford’s games this year and being one of the club’s standout performers.

That’s something Inu attested to, adding: “His game speaks for itself. He isn’t one to go out and tell everyone how good he is, that’s our job. I’ll put it out there, I don’t see anyone outmatching our captain in that position at the moment.”

Those sentiments echoed Rowley’s from Saturday where he claimed: “I guess he’s the perfect role model of a captain, of a player and as a human being.”