Ben Littlewood joined the Rhinos Academy in 2022, having previously played community Rugby League at Lock Lane.

The forward attracted the attention of Simon Bell and the Leeds scouts and made his first appearance for the Rhinos’ Under-18s in a 30-16 away win against Warrington Wolves in the second game of the season. He later moved into a starting role at loose forward in wins over Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers. By the end of the season, he had recorded 12 appearances and two tries for the Under-18s and one appearance for the Reserves. He was also part of the Academy side that lifted the Grand Final title against St Helens.

2023 saw Littlewood split his game time across the Academy and Reserves teams, playing between second row and prop. Playing eight times as a starter for the Academy, he scored five times, including three in consecutive games against St Helens and Wakefield, whilst he also ran out seven times for the Reserves mostly as a prop.

Littlewood first started playing Rugby Union at school but he was convinced by his friends to take up the thirteen player code. As he attended Rodillian at the time, he joined Oulton Raiders, before switching to Castleford Lock Lane.

Ben previously studied at Wakefield College.