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Ash Handley named Leeds Rhinos captain for 2026 season

Brad Arthur has revealed the Rhinos squad numbers for next season

Author: Matt SoanesPublished 19th Dec 2025

Leeds Rhinos have announced Ash Handley as their new captain for the 2026 season, with Kallum Watkins joining him as vice-captain.

The announcement was made by Head Coach Brad Arthur following the team’s week-long training camp in Tenerife and ahead of their Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge against Wakefield Trinity on Boxing Day.

In addition to leadership changes, the Rhinos have revealed their squad numbers for the upcoming Super League season.

Man of Steel winner Jake Connor will wear the number seven shirt after a standout season with Leeds in 2025, while Tom Holroyd regains the number 10 shirt he last wore in 2024.

Other key changes include Keenan Palasia moving to the number 13, and Kallum Watkins awarded the number 11 shirt following the departure of James Bentley.

Jarrod O’Connor has been given the number nine shirt. New signing Danny Levi will wear number 23, while Cameron Smith takes the number 17 shirt.

Head Coach Brad Arthur said of Ash Handley “I am delighted to make Ash our sole captain this season."

"He did a great job last year, and he is typically on the field for the full eighty minutes, which is important with the added input of the captain in the modern game. Ash has matured into a natural leader.

“The positive thing with this group now is that we have leaders across the team, and having one sole voice as captain will be important to channel us in the right direction.

"Kallum is experienced and speaks through his actions on the field. He will be a great support for Ash."

The Rhinos’ 2026 squad includes 26 players who have already made their Super League debuts, with an additional eleven players transitioning into the first-team squad during pre-season.

The squad list in full is:

  1. Lachie Miller
  1. Maika Sivo
  1. Harry Newman
  1. Ash Handley (C)
  1. Ryan Hall
  1. Brodie Croft
  1. Jake Connor
  1. Mikolaj Oledzki
  1. Jarrod O’Connor
  1. Tom Holroyd
  1. Kallum Watkins (VC)
  1. James McDonnell
  1. Keenan Palasia
  1. Chris Hankinson
  1. Cooper Jenkins
  1. Ethan O’Neill
  1. Cameron Smith
  1. Max Simpson
  1. Jeremiah Mata’utia
  1. Presley Cassell
  1. Alfie Edgell
  1. Riley Lumb
  1. Danny Levi
  1. Ned McCormack
  1. Ben Littlewood
  1. Tom Nicholson-Watton

Additional first team squad members:

George Brown

Oscar Brown

Joe Butterfield

Joe Diskin

Zak Lloyd

Fergus McCormack

Marcus Qareqare

Olly Smart

Harry Smith

Jacob Stead

Harley Thomas

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