Leeds Rhinos boss explains squad number omissions as rookies handed Wakefield Trinity Boxing Day challenge

Rhinos have 37 players in training, but only 26 have been included in the squad for next season, which kicks off in February. Apart from three new signings, all of those awarded a number for 2026 have already made their first team debut.

Most of the others could feature in Boxing Day’s Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge at home to Wakefield Trinity, with two - winger Harley Thomas and scrum-half George Brown - named in the starting lineup. Explaining the decision not to allocate a number to young players before they are called into a matchday squad, Arthur revealed: “I’ve had a good conversation with them, they understand where they sit in our team.

“If they haven’t played a Super League game we haven’t assigned them a squad number yet because I want them to really cherish when they make their Super League debut. They’ll get a squad number then and it will feel a touch more important to them.”

Arthur selected his strongest-available side in last year’s Boxing Day match, with some teenagers getting a chance off the bench. Leeds will field a less experienced lineup on Friday and Arthur insisted: “I really enjoyed it last year and I am looking forward to it this year. It has been a bit of a different preparation, but I am looking forward to the opportunity we are going to provide for a lot of our young guys.

“They have worked really hard and they’ve trained well. It’s also a bit of a reward for some of our senior players. A lot of guys have played in this Boxing Day game year on year and haven’t really had a Christmas Day to themselves.

“We are getting two benefits out of it, an opportunity for a lot of our young guys and some of those senior guys are getting a bit of a reward and can have Christmas with their families. Come Boxing Day, their job will be to make sure they give feedback and provide plenty of support to our young guys.”

Of the teenagers on duty this week, the coach added: “I think they understand where they sit in the pecking order of our squad, but it’s an opportunity for them to show - if we get an injury or there’s an opportunity for them to step into the squad - they can do their job and build trust from the rest of the group. I think that’s what it’s about, building a trust from the coaches and the rest of the players that if called upon, they know what their role looks like and can do a job.”

Meanwhile, Arthur has played down the possibility of any more pre-season signings. Recruits Ethan O’Neill, Jeremiah Mata’utia and Danny Levi are set to play on Boxing Day and Arthur said: “We are very happy with the squad we have put together. Ian Blease [sporting director] has done a really good job.

“We are always looking to improve; if the right player becomes available to add to or strengthen our squad, we always look at it. The salary cap at the moment is tight and I think that’s warranted when you look at the senior players in our group.”