Rhinos Academy in focus: Elliott Fox

Ahead of each Academy game this year, Each Under-18s player will share more about themselves and their journey so far in Rugby League, their development in Chev Walker's team, and offer insight into the Rhinos camp.

Ahead to Friday's clash against Castleford Tigers, hooker Elliott Fox was next in the hot seat ahead of the hooker's first appearance of the year:

2025 could be the year Rhinos Academy hooker Elliott Fox finally puts long-term injuries behind him as the 18-year old looks to establish himself Chev Walker's squad for the year ahead.

Back-to-back leg and back injuries limited Fox to just one appearance in his debut Under-18s season, after the hooker impressed with his speed out of dummy half and two tries in seven games under Mark Butterill in the Leeds Scholarship. Speaking about that time in his journey, he admits it was a rollercoaster ride but this year can give him some stability to build under the Rhinos Academy staff.

"I've had ups and downs with injuries but for me personally I'm just wanting to get my job right within the team, build on my role that plays towards us actually getting wins and hopefully just get some consistent game time," he said.

"I'm trying to build my confidence up at the moment, which is the main thing. I missed out on the majority of Scholarship with my leg and then going into academy with my back, so I've missed out on a lot of time where a lot of players have done well, and I've been on the sidelines watching. Now this year I just want to get consistent game time. Working hard is one thing about me, you can never knock my effort. I always give 110 per cent and Chev appreciates hard-working players, so that's what I've strived towards."

"It only takes one game for you to get back into the squad and build confidence and that's what I want to do. Especially as a team, we're a good side and I'm looking forward to the weeks up and coming. We're taking it week by week, see what went wrong, what we can build on and go from there."

With injuries in the rear-view mirror, Fox looks to break back into an Under-18s side that is high on confidence after their opening win over Wigan. Notably strong performances from a number of the squad's younger players in that result has set a high standard for the group going forward, especially into Friday's test against Castleford, and Fox knows what he needs to bring as one of the older players in the team.

"I think what helps is we're a tight-knit group. The young lads that have come up have done well and they've fitted into our system. We (the older players) know them from Scholarship and there's some good players that have strived early doors. I'm just trying to play my role within the team, move the forwards about, supply my halves and obviously my running game is probably the most biggest part of my game. I'm trying to enhance that into the team and run where I can and manifest opportunities when they present themselves."

With summer just around the corner, a sunny training session and dry pitch can work wonders for an aspiring hooker too as well as the wider team. Fox explained: "For us nines passing low off the ground, it's not great when the ball is wet through. It's a lot nicer in the summer weather, especially training-wise, getting up early in the morning and it naturally being light rather than dark and freezing. The actual quality of training can improve, and actually we're a bit slicker with our hands which is key."

Finally previewing the Tigers clash, Fox concluded: "Obviously I missed out last week, so I'd like to make a stamp of myself, hopefully play well and stand my place within the squad. Castleford are a decent side, they've got some decent players, so we'll have to match that and hopefully see them match us as well. We're full of confidence. We're a good side, but you can't fall in love with yourself early on. We're forming connections across the park between the forwards and the backs but there's a lot we can improve on. That's just where we're at the moment."