Leeds Rhinos' strongest side for 2025 featuring five new signings and Jake Connor call

Brad Arthur will enter his first full season in charge of Leeds Rhinos in 2025, with the Australian head coach already stamping his mark on the squad alongside sporting director Ian Blease.

That has seen the club tinker with their roster, with the likes of Maika Sivo and Ryan Hall both arriving at Headingley this off-season, not to mention a certain Jake Connor, with forward duo Keenan Palasia and Cooper Jenkins also acquired. But how do they fit into the Rhinos' side? Here, Rugby League Live looks at how they could line up next season.

1. Lachie Miller
The pacey full-back has suffered a hamstring injury while training in Australia, with the worst-case scenario being that he misses the start of the Super League season. However, Leeds will hope that isn't the case, with Miller improving as last season went on, in particular under Arthur. It's that form he will now look to build on with the player contracted at the club for another two years.

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2. Maika Sivo
The Fijian winger has an unbelivable record in the NRL, scoring 104 tries for Parramatta Eels in just 115 appearances. He debuted in 2019 and will now swap Australia for the Super League in 2025, offering Leeds some serious strike on the edge, not to mention some beef in the backfield with his carries.

3. Harry Newman
The centre played his part in England's Test series victory over Samoa this autumn and will now look to continue that form with Leeds in 2025. He's still only 24 and will look to gain the necessary consistency to his game to ensure his place as one of the competition's best centres.

4. Ash Handley
As first spoken of on the House of League Podcast, the arrival of Sivo could mean a positional switch for Ash Handley, with the winger moving into the centres. It's a role he has played before, and he has the physical attributes, standing at 6 foot 3 inches, to do it.

5. Ryan Hall
The veteran winger was Leeds' first signing for the 2025 season, rejoining the club after a six-year hiatus. He turns 37 on Wednesday, but still packs a punch with his carries and try-scoring ability. He notched 62 in 106 appearances for Hull KR and is likely to take the left wing spot once again.

6. Brodie Croft
There has been recent speculation that Brodie Croft's representatives have been seeking out an NRL return for their client, but it's expected that Headingley will still be the half-back's home in 2025. The former Man of Steel will look to kick on, and while he had a decent first year in the Blue and Amber, he'll know there is another level or two to go to yet.

7. Matt Frawley
Like many of his teammates, Frawley did improve as the 2024 season went on, and he certainly had his moments. He is off contract at the end of 2025 and needs a big year, especially with Jake Connor, who can play both half-back positions as well as full-back and centre, breathing down his neck.

8. Mikolaj Oledzki
Another player out of contract, the Polish-born prop needs a big year. He will have England international honours on his sights once ahead and will be looking to set the tone in the Leeds Rhinos side.

9. Andy Ackers
Leeds were much better under Arthur when they went direct, and that is when Andy Ackers can thrive. The hooker thrives on quick service with his running game then coming to the fore. If Leeds can play that brand, then they will get the best out of Ackers, who is set to interlock the position with Jarrod O'Connor once again.

10. Keenan Palasia
Super League fans got a first glimpse of the Samoan international in the recent Test series against England. Tasked to bring some impact to the Leeds side through the middle, not a lot is known about the front rower, who is 27 years old. He featured 15 times in the NRL last season and has signed a two-year deal with the club.

11. James Bentley
When Leeds improved last season, so did James Bentley. He has a reputation for being a pantamime villain, and in the past, his temperament has gotten the better of him. However, that didn't look to be the case in the second half of 2024, with the back rower putting in some strong performances. Leeds will hope for that version of Bentley once again next year. When they get it, there's certainly a player there.

12. James McDonnell
The former Wigan youngster has found a home at Headingley and was superb at various stages in 2024. He's another out of contract at the end of next year, and you'd imagine he won't be short of suitors.

13. Cameron Smith
The current captain of the Leeds side is always in the thick of the action, and that is set to continue in 2025, with the club junior contracted for another two seasons.

Interchange: Jarrod O'Connor
The fiery hooker is still only 23 years old, was just as much an asset for Leeds at loose-forward as he was at hooker last season. He produced some stern performances for the club and will look to kick on next year with perhaps an England call-up at the back of his mind.

Interchange: Cooper Jenkins
Signed from Queensland Cup club North Devils, it's fair to say Cooper Jenkins is an unknown quantity in Super League. However, middles are what Leeds needed, and the Aussie will hope to make a big impact at the club. He stands at 6 feet 4 inches and weighs over 100 kg.

Interchange: Sam Lisone
The big prop has made a name for himself as an impact prop for Leeds and will step into his third season at the club in 2025. He is capable of powerul carries and an offload game, with Arthur challenged to get the best out of him next season.

Interchange: Jake Connor
With two middles in Jenkins and Lisone, and with O'Connor able to double up at loose-forward as well as hooker, does that open a spot up for Jake Connor on the interchange in 2025? He is capable of playing in the 1, 4, 6, and 7 positions, giving Arthur plenty of options to go at. Connor, himself, will view himself as a starter, but while it's unknown what role he will primarily play next year, his versatility could be invaluable from the bench.

18th Man: Tom Holroyd
The young prop had several concussion issues in 2024, but touch wood, they are now a thing of the past, with Holroyd having the potential to become a real enforcer at Headingley. He made his England debut at just 22 and is still highly fancied. Here's hoping he gets the all clear to play and can endear himself to the Headingley crowd once again.

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