Leeds Rhinos star joins in Covid-19 relief effort

The 25-year-old has teamed up with staff from Rhinos’ foundation to deliver essential supplies to vulnerable individuals and groups around the city.

For Sutcliffe, a Challenge Cup and Grand Final winner with Rhinos, the volunteering is a way of staying motivated at a time when all rugby activity has been suspended.

“We’ve been dropping essentials off at people’s houses - food and whatever they need,” explained the utility-player who has been a member of Rhinos’ first team squad since 2013.

“We’ve dropped a few off at the [St George’s] Crypt in town and been to houses around Armley.

“There’s a fair few of the foundation‘s staff who have been involved and helping out.

“I got in touch with them and asked if there was anything I could do.”

Rhinos’ entire playing squad have been furloughed - placed on a form of paid leave - during the pandemic.

Sutcliffe admitted being stuck at home with nothing to do, other than train alone, was proving stressful.

“It is a time of need,” he said.

“I was doing nothing with my time, just sat at home looking at the same four walls and it was driving me a bit mad so I wanted to get out and help as much as possible.

“I was pretty low on motivation and this has given me a bit of excitement and something to look forward to.

“There’s obviously a lot of people in a lot worse spots than us so it’s nice to help out.”

He stressed: “I am all right now I am out doing things, before that it was a pretty dull place.

“I hate being stuck inside by myself so I wanted to get out and try and do a little bit.”

Volunteers, led by foundation stalwart Sam Horner, have been using the foundation’s minibus to deliver supplies around Leeds.

Rhinos reserve team player Harvey Whiteley and three-time Grand Final winner Brett Delaney - who both work for the foundation - have also been helping out.

“We have got masks and gloves on and we are keeping our social distance,” Sutcliffe stressed.

“We know that’s important at this time, we are all up to scratch with that.”

Rhinos are on a four-game winning run Sutcliffe is hopeful of being available for selection when Betfred Super League eventually resumes.

He played twice for Rhinos this season before rugby league was shut down, as well as making one Championship appearance for partner club Featherstone Rovers on dual registration.

That win over Swinton Lions, on March 8, was his comeback after a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury and he revealed he has since undergone minor surgery.

“I’ve had a knee cleanout,” he confirmed. “I have not actually run yet, it is probably about two months since I’ve run.

“I am hoping to get start running at the back end of this week, depending how I get on with my re-hab’.”

He added: “I was having problems with it for a few weeks and it wasn’t getting any better.

“It has gone on a bit longer than expected, but you don’t want to rush things like that - and luckily there’s no games I’ve missed.”

It is now two months since Rhinos’ players were able to train together as a group.

They are staying in touch through social media and Sutcliffe confirmed he has been keeping in shape through the lockdown, despite his knee problem.

He said: “I have got my own weights at home so they get used a fair bit and I have got a push bike as well.

“I try to get out on that as well, just to get out and about and do a bit of exercise.”