No need to panic buy says Leeds Rhinos skipper Luke Gale

Rhinos are yet to bring in any new faces for 2021, but are hoping to add at least one front-rower to their pack before the campaign begins in March.

With signings being made at other clubs, some fans fear Rhinos are being left behind, but Gale insisted he has full confidence in coach Richard Agar and director of rugby Kevin Sinfield to make the right decisions - and he said it is the correct approach to wait until the right players become available.

“Rich is really smart,” Gale said.

“He knows who he wants.

“He and Kev have said they don’t want to just add for the sake of it and I totally agree with that, I think that’s the right call.

“They have got a couple of people in mind and hopefully they come to fruition and we add to the squad.

“Rich has been vocal and so has Kev on getting the right person and I am sure they are speaking to the right people.”

Gale admitted he understands why supporters might be concerned.

“The fans want them across the line, as do I,” he added.

“I have spoken to Rich about it and I am sure they will get the right person.”

Rhinos won the Coral Challenge Cup this year and finished fifth in Betfred Super League.

With the majority of their squad being under-30, Gale feels they are still improving and there is no need to panic buy.

“If you do that you are left with the repercussions a couple of years later,” he warned.

“We have got a young squad, a good squad and Rich knows what we need, just to add a couple to strengthen up our roster.

“That’s what they are looking at, people like that.

“I leave it with Rich and Kev and Gary [Hetherington, Rhinos’ chief executive] and I am sure they will get it nailed.”

Rhinos’ season finished five weeks ago when they were beaten by Catalans Dragons in the Super League play-offs.

After annual reviews, players were given time off before Rhinos’ pre-season begins next month, but Gale revealed most of the squad are already in training on an informal, socially distanced basis.

“I had probably a week to 10 days off and then started training with Donno [teammate James Donaldson],” Gale confirmed.

“We are doing Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays and I think for me personally, it is a good chance to build, in the gym especially and get some strength, particularly in my lower legs.”

Gale joined Rhinos from Castleford Tigers last pre-season after missing the whole of the 2019 campaign following surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The England scrum-half - who kicked the winning drop goal at Wembley two months ago - reckons he is “miles” ahead of where he was at the same stage last year.

“If I rewind back a year, I was just running again,” he recalled.

“I couldn’t really focus on the gym or on building strength in my legs - my injury wouldn’t allow it.

“This year, I am at a miles better stage.

“I am squatting probably the same amount I did in 2017 before the injury.

“I am using this time to get better and strengthen up. Donno is awesome in the gym, so he’s like a personal trainer, he lets you know when you’re slacking and not lifting heavy enough.”

Gale added: “There’s been a few boys in, in small groups we’ve probably got 20 in or so at Kirkstall.

“The boys are working hard, it’s nothing stupid, just building for when we do come in on January 4.

“It is a perfect time to grow and develop those areas you know you haven’t been so good on and for me personally that’s getting some strength into the lower body. I am feeling fantastic, I started last season well and I know I am in a 50-times better place than last year, so it is exciting.”

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