The 2025 Reserves season is back this weekend as Leeds Rhinos get their campaign underway against Leigh Leopards at Golbourne Parkside ARLFC on Saturday lunchtime, kick off 12pm.

Headed up by Chev Walker for the first time since 2022, the Rhinos look to bounce back from a seventh-place finish last year and challenge for a place in the Grand Final.

This year's competition is made up of 12 teams, 11 from the Betfred Super League and Bradford Bulls from the Betfred Championship. Last year's competition saw St Helens avenge their Grand Final appearance in 2023 as they were victors over Wigan Warriors in a 24-18 final score. Warrington Wolves, Hull KR, Hull FC and Castleford Tigers were amongst the chasing pack, whilst Leeds hope to better their six wins from 12 games with a youthful side.

In preparation for the year ahead, some of the players aiming to be involved in the club's Reserves squad this season got the chance to feature against Hull FC in a recent friendly and claimed a 46-6 triumph; Marcus Qareqare scoring four tries.

Leigh poses a challenge, especially after winning this fixture 34-24 at the start of last season. Amongst a handful of first team stars named that day, the club have recruited young talent to add to their roster over the last two campaigns. Ben McNamara and Bailey Hodgson, fresh from his return from Australia, are both key playmakers for the future, plus AJ Towse is a threatening winger, as shown in his Super League debut against Catalans. Will Brough was also picked up from Wakefield on a twelve-month contract and is one to watch too.

2024 Results

Leopards

Won 54-0 vs London Broncos

Lost 22-16 vs Wakefield Trinity

Won 26-16 vs St Helens

Won 26-10 vs Huddersfield Giants

Lost 60-4 vs Hull FC 

Rhinos

Won 33-22 vs Wakefield Trinity

Lost 40-30 vs Wigan Warriors

Lost 22-16 vs Huddersfield Giants

Won 20-12 vs Salford Red Devils

Lost 26-18 vs Hull FC

Team News

Chev Walker has named a youthful squad to pick from for his first Reserves game of 2025.

14 of the 18 named ahead of Saturday played in the recent friendly clash against Hull FC, including Marcus Qareqare who scored four tries in a man of the match performance. A large contingent (14 players) are also members of Walker's Under-18s squad for the Academy season and are set feature against the Leopards in their first competitive minutes of 2025.

Jack Smith and Toby Warren train as part of Brad Arthur's first team squad, but get an opportunity to get game time in the Reserves competition, whilst Shane Tuohey and Oliver Smart are part-time reserves players at the club and train as part of the Academy squad. Tuohey was also a scorer against Hull FC last month.

The squad in full is:

Joe Butterfield
Presley Cassell sponsored by Warners Fish Merchants
Alex Cowley sponsored by Morris Infrastructure
Joe Diskin sponsored by Grove Building Solutions
Elliott Fox sponsored by Electrogen
Lore Jones-Buchanan sponsored by UK Cleaning and Facility Maintenance
Zak Lloyd
Dax Millington
Jayemm Oladipupo
Marcus Qareqare sponsored by Atlas Crew
Harry Smith sponsored by Francis Walker
Jack Smith sponsored by Dawsons Site Installations 
Oliver Smart sponsored by Senior Performance Training
Harley Thomas sponsored by Likewise Floors
Shane Tuohey
Toby Warren
Callum Webster
Noah Whittingham sponsored by Mark Whiley.

If you want to sponsor an Academy, Reserves or Scholarship player, contact sales@therhinos.co.uk

Last Meeting

Round One Fixtures

Friday 7th March

Bradford Bulls vs Hull FC

Warrington Wolves vs Wakefield Trinity

Saturday 8th March

Huddersfield Giants vs Wigan Warriors

Leigh Leopards vs Leeds Rhinos

Castleford Tigers vs Salford Red Devils

St Helens vs Hull KR

More Information

Fans traveling for the game need to put Golborne Parkside, Rivington Ave, Golborne WA3 3HG into Google Maps

For fans unable to travel to Leigh, keep up to date with score updates on the Rhinos social feeds, including X, Facebook and Instagram feeds.