Brad Arthur coup, George Brown hint, travel sickness and recurring refs: latest Leeds Rhinos talking points

The French team are the only Betfred Super League side Leeds haven’t faced so far and with 10 wins for 13 games and sitting top of the table, Rhinos can be well satisfied with how their campaign has gone up to now. Last week’s home win against St Helens and the announcement of new contracts for coach Brad Arthur and young stand-off George Brown have added to the feelgood factor. Here’s five talking points.

1: Brad all over. The Brad Arthur contract announcement was a pleasant surprise for everyone connected with Rhinos, who were expecting to hear a decision on the coach’s future at the end of this month. Arthur has been speaking about plans for next season and is clearly happy at Leeds so it’s not a shock he is staying, but the two-year deal is a boost.

It should put an end to the NRL speculation which has surrounded the former Parramatta Eels boss since he was appointed nearly two years ago and gives him and the club some stability. It’s also popular with fans, who needed some good news after all the player leaving announcements and means Rhinos can step up preparations for 2027.

Comparing where Leeds are now to the state they were in when Arthur took charge, he has done a remarkable job and keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2028 is a real coup.

2: Stand-off hint. Rhinos haven’t ruled out signing a six to replace Brodie Croft next season, but it’s looking increasingly likely they will go with 19-year-old academy product Brown. Though he is currently on the casualty list with a knee injury, Brown played four games at the start of the season and, other than lack of experience, is exactly the type of player Rhinos are looking for; like Croft, he is try scorer and his running game complements Jake Connor’s creative skills.

Speaking after the win against Saints, Arthur praised Rhinos’ youth system and stressed “we are happy to back our youth, like next year with George Brown”. If a stand-off who fits the bill becomes available, Rhinos may still bring someone in, but the feeling at the club is the big money could be better spent in other areas, for example a big, strong-running forward.

3: Travel sickness. Rhinos still have room for improvement, in particular their away form which has been poor so far. Rhinos have lost three of their six league games on the road and were also beaten away from home in the Challenge Cup.

A 100 per cent record at AMT Headingley has kept them ahead of the chasing pack, but they’ll need to be better on their travels if they are going to stay there all year and pick up silverware - especially as they have still to visit the three teams directly below them on the table, Warrington Wolves, Wakefield Trinity and St Helens.

4: Point to prove. Two of Rhinos’ next five games are in France with another long trip looming on July 11 when they meet Catalans Dragons in Perpignan. Leeds’ only previous game in Toulouse was a 20-6 defeat four years ago, a season when they travelled to France four times in 10 matches, culminating in a famous 20-10 play-off win at Catalans.

Since then Leeds have not only failed to pick up a victory on the European mainland, but also haven’t scored a single point, conceding 61, 26 and 11 to Catalans without reply. At least those margins are getting narrower, which should give long-suffering travelling fans some hope for Friday and next month.

5: Recurring refs. By the end of this weekend two referees will have handled 75 per cent of Rhinos’ 16 competitive games this year. Friday’s fixture at Stade Ernest Wallon is Liam Moore’s sixth Rhinos appointment in 2026, equalling Jack Smith’s tally.

Between them, either Moore or Smith will have been in the middle for 10 of Leeds’ last 11 matches. The sport clearly needs more officials capable of refereeing in the top-flight, but Moore and Smith are probably the leading two at the moment and Rhinos can’t have many complaints thus far.