Video - Matt Prior confident he can hit ground running at Leeds Rhinos

Prior, 32, touched down in Leeds on Saturday and will train with his new team-mates for the first time tomorrow, exactly a month before Rhinos’ Betfred Super League opener at home to Hull.

The front-rower will travel with the squad to Spain for warm-weather training on Saturday and is likely to make his debut in the home pre-season clash with Bradford Bulls on Sunday, January 12, which is Jamie Jones-Buchanan’s testimonial and a benefit for Rob Burrow.

The clock is ticking, but Prior – signed from Cronulla Sharks on a two-year deal – insisted he will be ready when February 2 comes along.

“I kept training with the Sharks, just to keep fit,” Prior said. “They were happy for me to keep training so I’ve done a whole pre-season with those boys.

“I think, to learn all the plays and stuff, a month is plenty of time.

“I am looking forward to the camp, [I’ll] get around all the boys and get to know everyone and start trying to fit in among the group.”

There are already some familiar faces in Rhinos’ squad. Prior played alongside Adam Cuthbertson at St George-Illawarra Dragons and was a Cronulla team-mate of fellow prop Ava Seumanufagai.

“I know those boys pretty well, which is good,” he added. “I’ve been speaking to Cuthbo, he told me it is such a great club and he has loved his time here.

“I spoke to a couple of other blokes at other clubs, Joseph Paulo who plays for St Helens and Tinirau Arona who plays for Wakefield.

“Both of them said they’ve had a great time over here, they are really loving it. That made my decision a bit easier about coming over here.

“It is a big move, but I am looking forward to embracing everything about the English culture and really making it a home for the next couple of years.”

Rhinos have 34 players in their full-time squad – plus two vacancies for more recruits –and only three of them will be aged 30 or above when the season begins.

Prior has more than 250 NRL games to his name, as well as a State of Origin appearance for New South Wales in 2018 and is relishing bringing that experience to a relatively young side.

“I will bring plenty of energy on the field,” he said of what he will add to the squad. I’ll try and lead by example and do all the little jobs and do whatever the team needs, really.

“I guess I am a bit of a team man, I will be out there trying to put my best foot forward for the boys and lead by example is the main thing.”

Partner Rebecca and daughter Indie have travelled with Prior, which will help with the settling in process.

“I’m very excited to be here,” he stressed.

“Leeds is a lovely town, a lot bigger than what I was expecting. We are starting to settle in now and glad to be here.

“It is a great club, a club that’s had a lot of success in the past. They are looking for more success and I want to be a part of that.”

“I don’t know that much about Leeds, but I am looking forward to learning everything about the club.”