It's side before self insists Leeds Rhinos try ace Ash Handley

Handley scored a hat-trick in Leeds’ last visit to Catalans Dragons, a year ago, but that couldn’t save Rhinos from a 26-22 defeat.

That was Leeds’ fifth straight loss, but the situation has been reversed 12 months on as they will travel to Perpignan tomorrow on a run of four successive wins.

“It is a different game,” said Handley, who also crossed in Rhinos’ 33-20 defeat at Stade Gilbert Brutus in 2018.

“They have signed a load of new players and we have got a new-look side as well so I am looking forward to it.

“I think it’ll be a good game.”

Handley was Rhinos’ leading try scorer – and joint-second in Super League – last year with 22.

His try in the 66-12 win over Toronto Wolfpack last week was his fourth of the campaign and he feels things are “going all right” for himself and the team.

“It has been a good start for us,” Handley reflected.

“We had a blip in round one but, apart from that, it has been good.”

Saturday, though, will be a tough challenge against an in-form team who have won their last three games. Handley warned: “They are a good side. They are always good at home and hard to beat when you go over there, with the travel and everything else.

“We will just be looking to build on what we’ve done in the last few rounds and go there and try and get the win.”

Rhinos now are far from the dispirited outfit which travelled to France 12 months ago.

“We are playing some really good football together as a team and everything seems to be clicking,” Handley noted.

“We have got some generals in Rob [Lui] and Galey [Luke Gale] in the middle of the park who are asking everyone to get around the pitch and it is working well for us.”

Handley reckons the fun factor is back after relegation battles in each of the past two seasons.

“It is a big change from last year,” he added. “It is always good to be on the right side of the big results, everyone’s enjoying each other’s company and it’s a good vibe around the place at the minute.

“Everyone’s confidence is high, so it’s great.”

With Jack Walker on the long-term casualty list, Handley could be set for a new role at full-back when winger Tom Briscoe returns following a knee reconstruction. Handley has played at centre in the past and trained specifically at full-back in pre-season.

He confirmed: “Rich [Agar, Rhinos’ coach] said to me I’d be back-up if Wakka [Walker] ever went down injured so I am ready to play there if needs be.

“Richie [Myler] has been playing well there, Tom’s knocking on the door now to come back and Luke [Briscoe] is playing well so, it’s good we’ve got options in a lot of positions at the moment; we’ve got good squad depth and we’re going really well.”