Leeds Rhinos: Hooker Dwyer determined to make a big impact with Headingley club

The 24-year-old joined in with his new team-mates for the first time when pre-season training began on Monday.

Dwyer, who has signed a two-year contract, admits he feels lucky to be part of the reigning Betfred Super League champions, and knows his form has to improve after a disappointing campaign with Warrington Wolves in 2017.

“I am lucky to have been at a decent team in Warrington and to have been developed there, but I was ready for a change,” Dwyer said.

“It was the right time for me – I feel – and for my development and pushing on to the next level.

“To come into a team that’s just won the Grand Final and with the history they’ve got and how they look after everyone here and the environment, I am really fortunate.

“I want to come in and add and make it better, but the main thing for me is fitting in and settling into this environment and learning as much as I can from it. Then, once I have settled in, being a part of it.”

Warrington finished ninth in Super League last term and Dwyer reflected: “We had a tough year and I don’t think I personally did much last year, considering where I should be.

“I think I started off well as a young lad coming through, but I don’t think I’ve quite pushed on to where I want to be and what I feel I can do.

“Hopefully being in this environment can bring that out of me and I can push on and be a regular and push Matt [Parcell, Rhinos’ first-choice hooker] and get some competition with him.”

Dwyer’s his first aim is to win over his new team-mates.

“Every year you want to impress, but this year I am in with a new group of people and I think that brings the best out of you, proving your point – especially with me,” he said.

“A big thing for me is what people think of me and, hopefully, I can push on and impress the people here.”

Dwyer is a product of the Ince Rose Bridge community club in Wigan and has also had loan spells at Huddersfield Giants and London Broncos as well as on dual-registration with Swinton Lions.

He admitted reporting for pre-season this week was like the first day at a new school.

“That’s the most difficult day, day one,” he said.

“I’ve been excited for a few weeks and I was really excited on Monday morning, then nerves started kicking in about meeting new people and a new environment and I was not quite sure about what would happen.

“But from minute one I was welcomed, it has been very enjoyable and I am loving it. We’ve had some tough sessions and ripped in with the young lads, so, so far so good.”

He added: “Watching Leeds do what they did in the Grand Final, when I’d already had a couple of weeks off, it was difficult to watch.

“I was made up for them, but it is difficult – it makes you hungry and excited to be involved this year. I am ready to go.”