England star Lucy Murray has predicted a return to form this year for Leeds Rhinos’ women, whose season begins with a Challenge Cup tie at Leigh Leopards tomorrow (Saturday).

Rhinos finished fourth in the 2025 Betfred Women’s Super League and went out of both the Challenge Cup and play-offs at the semi-final stage, but forward Murray reckons they are going into the new campaign in much better shape. “Pre-season has been really good,” Murray said.

“It is probably the closest the squad has ever felt. Looking at the GPS and everything, it is definitely the toughest one we’ve done in quite a while and when we look at stats from last year in games, we’ve exceeded that in training. That puts us in a better position for the season coming up.”

Murray admitted: “Last year was a difficult one, as a player and for the coaching staff as well. Lois [Forsell, Rhinos’ coach] was off on maternity at the start, but this year a lot of the young players have more experience under their belt and we are more on the same page. Last year was the first time for a lot of us we hadn’t reached a final and that hurt a lot. I think that’s definitely something that is going to motivate us this year.”

Lucy Murray is confident Leeds Rhinos will have a better season after failing to reach a final in 2025. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Lucy Murray is confident Leeds Rhinos will have a better season after failing to reach a final in 2025. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Bella Sykes and Izzy Northrop have both left Rhinos to play in Australia, but former Tweed Seagulls and Queensland Sapphires player Georgia Elliston has come into the squad and is set to make her debut against Leigh. “She joined us in the last couple of weeks, which was a massive boost after we lost Izzy and Bella,” Murray said.

“We already had strength in the pack, but she has been a great addition. She’s strong and powerful and a dynamic runner and she’s a lovely person. She has fitted in really well and I am excited to see her go.”

Rhinos have won all their six previous games against Leigh, but Murray expects this one to be tough. “The scorelines don’t always reflect the games we play against the likes of Leigh,” she said. “They are a very physical side and it’s definitely a game we can’t take lightly.

“I am excited, personally, for the first game of the season. I think it’ll be a good game, it has been a long pre-season and we are just ready to get out there and hopefully show everyone what we can do this year.”

Coach Lois Forsell consoles Ebony Stead after Leeds Rhinos' defeat by Wigan Warriors in last year's Women's Super League play-offs. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

Long-term casualty Ruby Enright is in contention to play for the first time since July, 2024 and academy youngsters Paulianne Wambalu and Amelia Hirst are also included in Rhinos’ initial squad. Captain Caitlin Beevers remains sidelined with a knee injury suffered last season and Lill Seal (ankle), Shannon Brown (hip), Sophie Nuttall (Achilles) and new signing Lois Naidole (calf muscle) are also ruled out.

Leeds Rhinos women (at Leigh): from Enright, Stead, Cousins, Whitehead, Howard, Walker, Donnelly, Bennett, Glynn, Owen, Murray, Bruce, Boyd, Short, Bryer, Field, Sharp, Blakey, Wambalu, Hirst, Elliston.

Kick-off: Saturday, 12.30pm at Leigh Miners Rangers.