As we prepare to wave goodbye to 2024 and welcome in 2025, we're running back all the big events that took place around the club over the last twelve months.

From testimonials to last-minute drop goal drama, here is a look back at January to March:

JANUARY

With the clocks counting down to the start of the season, the Rhinos only played one pre-season game in January as they looked ahead to round one against Salford.

The month's sole outing for the Men's side was the Keith Howard Foundation Trophy, which saw them face off against Bradford Bulls for the fourth time in five years. A youthful Rhinos side were defeated 34-8; Luis Roberts and Derrell Olpherts scoring the tries.

The day before, the club's Under-18s Academy also got the chance to test themselves in a pre-season test against Bradford, which saw Tony Smith's side win 26-22.

Centre Paul Momirovski's arrival from Australia saw the centre join up with his new team mates three weeks out from the season starting, plus there was further recruitment work going on inside the Men's and Women's first teams as James McDonnell signed a one-year extension to celebrate his 24th birthday, and outside back Beth Macmillan signed for Lois Forsell's side from Bradford Bulls.

FEBRUARY

A winning start to February saw the Rhinos celebrate James Donaldson's testimonial year with a clash against Hull KR at AMT Headingley. Brodie Croft got one of five tries for the home side as the Rhinos won their final pre-season test 26-18. The club got a further boost ahead of the season starting as England international Harry Newman committed to a new three-year deal to keep the Academy product at the club beyond 2027. 

Round one saw the Rhinos open the Super League season in style as a 'Try of the Season' contender from Ash Handley secured a 22-16 home win in front of 15,000 fans. Fan favourite Sam Lisone also crossed for the game-winning score. 

A week later they faced off with Willie Peters' Hull KR for a second time in the month, only this time the Robins got the better of the Rhinos in an 18-10 result on the road.

No stopping @Ahandley16!??

The Rhinos level the scores with an outstanding try ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/pOaE4eCyE3
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 16, 2024

Off the field, The Princess Royal visited AMT Headingley to meet Rob Burrow CBE and his family as well as speaking to an invited audience. HRH Princess Anne took the opportunity of a visit to the home of Leeds Rhinos to thank the club's players, staff and supporters as well as the wider Rugby League community for the support that has been given to those impacted by MND since Rob Burrow's diagnosis with the disease. 

She became the second royal to visit the stadium after The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince William, attended the stadium in January.

MARCH

Continuing into March, the Rhinos' positive start to the new season saw them pick up three more league wins during the month. Handley was among the scorers again as Catalans were dispatched 18-10 in a tight tussle on home soil, but Rohan Smith's side had to find a different way to win when they visited Leigh Leopards in round four. 

Finding themselves three scores down in the first half against Adrian Lam's side, the visitors dug deep and managed to come back thanks to four consecutive tries scored by Rhyse Martin, Matt Frawley and two from Handley. 

Back to back home matches against St Helens in the league and Challenge Cup saw the Rhinos rally as they lost both games, but an opportunity to bounce back against local rivals Castleford was taken; Lachie Miller and Paul Momirovski opening their accounts for the club with two tries each in a 26-6 result.

March also signalled the start of the season for Leeds Rhinos Women and the club's Youth sides. Lois Forsell's Women's side began their journey to Wembley Stadium and the Challenge Cup Final as they faced Leigh Leopards and Hull KR in the competition's group stages. 

Debutants Shona Hoyle and Olivia Whitehead opened their accounts in a 52-4 result over the Leopards, before 16 tries against Hull KR ensured a place in the quarter finals.

A tough start to the season for the Reserves and Under-18s saw them lose their round one games against Leigh and St Helens, but the Reserves fought back in round two to beat Saints 30-22 on the road. 

The Scholarship and Women's Academy on the other hand made a great start; Mark Butterill's side beating Hull FC 26-16 whilst Matty Bullough's Under-19s Academy side beat Featherstone 36-4.

Off the field, the club mourned the passing of legendary player Lewis Jones, aged 92. The club was able to pay it's full respects to the Welsh Wizard and Hall of Famer at the St Helens clash.

In preparation for the Catalans game, the Rhinos went up against their football counterparts, Leeds United, as Justin Sangare and Mickael Goudemand took on Illan Meslier and Georginio Rutter at a game of Pétanque.

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