Ahead of this week's huge fixture against St Helens, Leeds Rhinos Under-18s Academy forward Jack Johnson says that there is still a belief that despite recent form, the young Rhinos can get back to winning ways at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

The 18-year-old, who is in his second season in the Rhinos academy, was part of Chev Walker's side that finished second in last year's league table and featured in the semi-final win over Warrington, before the club went on to lift the Grand Final trophy in extra time against this week's opponents. 

Although he didn't feature in the Grand Final matchday squad, Johnson knows that a big performance is needed this week to stop the unbeaten Saints, who are unbeaten.

"Saints are a big club and doing well this season. I think we're going to have to go there and show some real passion and do what we can to turn them over," he comments. "I want to go and play this time. Last year when I played in the league game, we lost but it shows that you've got to be motivated to go back there and try to get the win this time.

"In the last game against Hull KR, some decisions didn't go our way and we were getting a bit frustrated. Losing a few players to concussions is not nice but it's given us a bit of a buzz to go over to Saints this week and get a result. We'll go there and give it our all because you can't go somewhere and not give it otherwise you're not going to perform well."

This Academy season has differed in many ways that usual for the young Rhinos. As well as welcoming a new cohort of players from the club's Scholarship at the end of 2022, a new coaching staff, headed up by 1998 Grand Final winner Tony Smith, has taken the reigns too. The last month has also seen players adapt to new law modifications set out by the Rugby Football League, as they look to quantify head contacts with the aim of reducing the number of concussions.

Nevertheless, Johnson is feeling positive for the remaining games of the season, as the side continues to develop and grow under the eye of Smith.

"With Tony coming in it's different, we've had to bond well quickly," he says. "First years are doing well. They've stepped up really well this year and helped out a lot. As a team we've bonded really well. With these injuries we're going to have to find something and show some character.

"We did ok at the start of the season but even though we've suffered a few losses, we are still developing now. We do our individual stuff before and after training, but as a group we're developing well. That's massive when you're in the academy for two years. It's where you want to develop the most for your future and get to that Super League level."

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More information

Catch the Rhinos in action at the Totally Wicked Stadium at 12pm this Saturday. Entry on Saturday is £5 Adults, £3 Concessions, £2 Juniors. There will also be live score updates across the club's social channels. For more information, click here.