Next up at AMT Headingley, Leeds Rhinos will be celebrating the career of Ash Handley as the winger begins his testimonial year with a clash against World Club and Super League Champions Wigan Warriors on Sunday 26th January, kick off 3pm.

The matchup will be the final test for both sides heading into the start of the Betfred Super League season and Betfred Challenge Cup, and gives fans a chance 

Here is your preview of the matchup:

Handley's Opposition

The 2024 season belonged to Matt Peet and Wigan Warriors as the club brought home all three domestic trophies (Super League, Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield) and a World Club title to become the first team in the Super League era to hold all four major trophies.

The newly crowned BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year have set the bar for the 2025 season and have held onto all of their stars, including top try scorer Liam Marshall who closed out last year with 35 tries in 33 games, rising talent Junior Nsemba and the Rob Burrow Player of the Match from the Grand Final, Bevan French. Matt Peet once again heads up the Warriors' backroom team too as he enters the first year of a long-term, seven year deal which keeps him as Warriors boss until 2030.

With very few departures over the off-season (Mike Cooper retired and Ryan Hampshire was released), Wigan's preparations to defend their titles started with an away friendly clash against Oldham last Sunday before arriving at AMT Headingley to face off against Leeds in a match that has become synonymous in UK Rugby League.

Last weekend's clash with Oldham saw a largely youthful side get the job done with a six-try performance. Six different try scorers opened with Tyler Dupree getting over the try line before winger Jacob Douglas and Liam Byrne made it a three score lead after 10 minutes. Tom Forber, Josh Cartwright and Finlay Yeomans also crossed to secure a convincing win over the Championship side.

All eyes are then firmly set on the start of the domestic season, which pits the Warriors against Leigh on home soil in round one.

Handley Career Highlights

Here are a few of our favourites from Ash's time in blue and amber:

- First SL try vs Wigan

After making his club debut during the 2014 season against London Broncos, Handley took to the field at AMT Headingley for the first time in a league match in 2015 and took advantage of the occasion with a try against Wigan in a 26-14 triumph.

- 2015 Hat Tricks

That same year, the winger became an instant hit with the Rhinos fan base against rivals St Helens as hat tricks from Handley paved the way to wins both at home and on the road.

Three first half tries from Handley at the Totally Wicked Stadium in round 11 helped Leeds to a convincing 41-16 result against the Red Vee, and on his return to AMT Headingley, he added three more in another high scoring affair for the Rhinos.

- First season as Leeds' Top Try Scorer and Player of the Year

Handley took over the number five shirt in the 2019 season and took his opportunity on the wing with both hands. 

Alongside signing Konrad Hurrell, the winger formed a mean partnership with the Tongan international that produced 22 tries for Handley and 14 for Hurrell. Handley's form also earned him the first of two Player of the Year awards as he became only the second winger to receive the award.

- First Cup Final Triumph

Handley had evaded silverware since his Leeds debut, but 2020 was the year to change that as he lifted the Challenge Cup for the first time. 

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, his two tries in the semi final win over Wigan proved crucial as the club made it's return to Wembley Stadium, where Handley added a further two tries in the final against Salford in a 17-16 win.

- First season atop Super League's top try scorer chart

Although Leeds' season ended short of the Grand Final, Handley hit another personal milestone as he finished 2020 as Super League's leading try scorer for the first time in his career.

Finishing ahead of Bevan French with 14 tries, the Leeds man scored three times before the Covid-19 shutdown in March before going on to add 11 tries in the second half of the season. He scored hat tricks on two occasions in wins against Hull FC and Salford.

- Try of the season contender vs Warrington (round 1)

Handley's 2022 season got off to an electric start when Warrington Wolves visited in the season opener live on Channel 4.

Kickstarting the second half in style, Handley beat Stefan Ratchford in a foot race for the line to get the ball down but it wasn't until the video referee reviewed the decision that the Headingley crowd could see just how close Handley came to scoring.

- Five tries vs Hull FC

Hull FC were no match for Handley in 2022 as the Rhinos continued their push for a Grand Final spot with a 62 point drubbing of the black and whites.

Handley made history by becoming only the fourth Leeds player to ever score five times in a single game as he guided the side to a third win under Rohan Smith.

- Hat trick hero vs France in 2023

Away from Leeds, Handley's first England cap in 2023 saw the winger hit the ground running with three tries against France. 

A one-sided game saw Shaun Wane's side take home a 64-0 score line, with Handley and George Williams leading the scoring with three tries each. Ash continued his scoring streak this year too with two tries against France in Toulouse.

- 2024 Round 1 and 2 tries

Much like in 2022, Handley almost ended the club's Try of the Season competition before it could even begin in 2024. 

A length of the field effort against Salford in round one kickstarted the club's Super League season with a bang, but a week later at Hull KR Handley and Croft combined from a cross-field kick to score another outrageous effort in round two.

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In case you haven't seen these two tries enough, just a reminder that @Ahandley16 was on ? at the start of 2024!
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) December 28, 2024

- Handley joins the 200 club

In his tenth season in the Rhinos first team, Handley joined a select group of Leeds players to play 200 times for the club during their careers. Starting against Castleford at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle in 2024, Leeds gave Handley a day to remember as they secured a 26-6 win over the Tigers.

Get to know Ash

Ash was one of Jamie Jones-Buchanan's recent guests on the Box 2 podcast, brought to you in partnership with Best Western Hotels GB.

Take a look to find out more about this year's testimonial man about his journey both on and off the Rugby League field.

Handley's Key Stats

Total Leeds Appearances: 212 (208 starts, 4 subs)

Total Leeds Tries: 127

Total Leeds Goals: 2

Total Leeds Points: 512

Seasons as Leeds' Top Try Scorer: Five (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Seasons in Super League's Top Three Try Scorers: Two (2019, 2020)

Leeds Games with 3+ Tries: Seven

International Apps: Two for England, One for England Knights

Record vs Wigan (In all competitions)

Six Wins 

10 Losses

Six Tries

Ticket Information

Tickets are on sale now for the Ash Handley testimonial game when Leeds Rhinos will take on World Champions Wigan Warriors at AMT Headingley on Sunday 26th January, kick off 3pm.

Tickets for this match are available either over the phone on 0371 423 1315 or online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk. Depending on availability there will be an option to purchase tickets on the day – this will be communicated in advance of the match. 

Prices start at £20 for Adults, £15 for Concessions and £5 for Juniors, plus Hospitality is also available in the Howard Suite at £150+vat per person.

For more information, click here.