Super League hopefuls land highly rated Leeds Rhinos youngster

York Knights have completed their fourth signing from a Super League club in three days.

Highly-rated outside-back Jack Smith has joined the Championship league leaders and 1895 Cup holders from Leeds Rhinos.

He teams up with ex-Castleford Tigers centre Sam Wood, former Salford Red Devils prop Justin Sangare and winger Jon Bennison, from St Helens, in the Knights’ squad for 2026.

Smith, 20, is the reigning Betfred Championship young player of the year after impressing on loan at London Broncos.

He joined Rhinos’ youth system from Featherstone Lions and was promoted into the full-time squad two years ago, but did not make a first team appearance and was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2025 season.

Smith featured on loan/dual-registration for Halifax Panthers and Bradford Bulls last year and his last game for Leeds Rhinos was the reserves Grand Final in September when he booted two goals in an 8-0 victory over Warrington Wolves at AMT Headingley.

Knights coach, Mark Applegarth tried to sign Smith when he was youth boss at Wakefield Trinity.

He enthused: “I’m delighted we’ve managed to secure him. I think he’s another player that, given time, will turn into a fantastic signing.

“He has got a really good head on him for such a young age and he’s keen to improve. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into him coaching-wise and I’m sure he’ll show everyone what he’s capable of as the year progresses.”

Smith, who scored 49 goals and five tries in his 14 matches for London, said: “I’m looking forward to being a part of it and working with everyone going forward.

“I can’t wait to get started, get around the lads and bounce on from the year the club had [this] year.”

York will learn over the next two days if they have secured a place in Super League for 2026, either through the club grading system or application process introduced to increase the competition to 14 clubs.

Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.