Leeds Rhinos 2018: Richie Myler embraces challenge of proving himself worthy successor

Myler has inherited the No 7 jersey from Rob Burrow and is tasked with filling the gap left by another club legend Danny McGuire’s departure to Hull KR.

They are the two most successful players in Leeds’ history and 27-year-old half-back has a tough act to follow.

He admitted he feels under pressure “to a certain extent”, but Myler stressed he will “embrace” the challenge and is determined to be his own man.

“Whenever you come to a club like Leeds you’re under pressure to win something, that’s the whole point of it,” he said.

“They are a successful club and they want to win trophies. The nature of sport is players move on, that’s what happens.

“I think the squad as a whole is in a lot stronger position to deal with the loss of a couple of players now than it was a few years ago.

“There’s a lot of leaders in this team and we are ready to get going now.”

Myler earned six England caps from 2008-2012 and said he “100 per cent” wants to get back into Test contention.

“If, at the end of the year, I am in the frame, that means I’ve had a good year with Leeds,” he said.

“That’s my goal, to be successful for Leeds. Anything else that comes off the back of that is a bonus.”

Rhinos visit one of Myler’s former clubs, Warrington Wolves, for their opening Betfred Super League fixture tonight.

He has been training since day one of pre-season, in November and featured in the trial games at Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers.

“I am really enjoying it,” he said. “It has been really good, the boys have been really, really welcoming.

“Obviously it is a great club, I have been liking getting out on the paddock and training and I am ready to play now.

“We are excited to start, I think everyone’s chomping at the bit to start playing.”

After tonight, Rhinos face Hull KR at Elland Road in a week’s time before their World Club Challenge showdown with Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.

It’s a tough opening, but Myler stressed: “Our focus is on round one, Warrington away.

“They had a tough season last year and it’ll be a different proposition playing against them now. We know it is going to be a tough one and we have got a big start to the year, but everyone has.

“The way the competition is structured now you can’t start slowly. I think I played 33-34 games last season, which seems like forever – especially when you are losing.

“It is such a long season and such a weird one – we had two ‘Easter’ weekends last year – but we have to concentrate on round one and then we can build on that.”

Myler – who began his career at Widnes Vikings before spells with Salford Red Devils, Warrington and Catalans Dragons – is one of three new faces in Rhinos’ squad, alongside Brad Dwyer and Nathaniel Peteru.

Of the talent available to coach Brian McDermott, he said: “It’s a very good squad, there’s a good blend of youth and experience and there’s younger lads in there who also have a lot of experience.

“The players who had a good season last year will be wanting to build on that and across the board there’s a lot of talent and a lot of quality.

“I think we are in a good position at the minute and we are pretty much fit and well.”