Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has explained the decision to part company with Ethan O’Neill just five months into a three-year contract.

The Australian-born forward joined Rhinos in pre-season from Leigh Leopards, but played only four times before being loaned to Hull FC in May. That move was made permanent last week when O’Neill signed a deal with the black and whites until the end of 2028.

O’Neill made his debut at scrum-half in Rhinos’ opening game of the campaign, a Betfred Challenge Cup win away to Widnes Vikings in February. He was a starting second-rower the following week at his former club Leigh and a substitute in the home opener against York Knights, but took 18th man duty when Leeds beat Hull KR in Las Vegas.

Ethan O'Neill seen during his Leeds Rhinos debut away to Widnes Vikings five months ago. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

The 27-year-old was recalled to the starting lineup to face Castleford Tigers a week later, but that proved to be his final appearance for Rhinos. Chris Hankinson, previously an outside-back, was switched into the pack at Easter and – with the side largely injury-free – he and James McDonnell have been Leeds’ starting second-rowers for 12 successive games.

Outlining Rhinos’ thinking behind the decision to let O’Neill leave, Arthur said: “We want to bring guys here to get opportunity. Initially the plan was that he could secure a back-row spot.

“We gave Chris Hankinson the same opportunity and I thought Chank has been one of our better players. I am all about being honest with the guys and I think Ethan had a better opportunity of playing on a week to week basis at Hull. That’s what Hull decided as well and what Ethan decided.”

Arthur stressed: “We could have kept him here as back-up and that would have been nice, but at the end of the day Ethan is at an age in his career where he wants to be a Super League player week-in, week-out. James Mac and Chank were probably two of our better players again last weekend with their defensive efforts and their physicality.

“He was just stuck behind them and we’ve got some young guys underneath. He wants to go and make sure he can be a regular player on a week to week basis and I couldn’t guarantee him that.”