Arthur names exciting line up for Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur has named his squad for the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge on Boxing Day at AMT Headingley against Wakefield Trinity, kick off 11.30am.

Leeds Rhinos fans will get to see all three of the club’s close season signings for the first time with Ethan O’Neill set to start after his move from Leigh Leopards. Hooker Danny Levi, who joined the Rhinos from NRL side Canberra Raiders just three weeks ago, will start off the bench alongside the final new recruit Jeremiah Mata’utia.

There is a familiar look to the forward pack for the Rhinos with regulars Tom Holroyd, Jarrod O’Connor and Cooper Jenkins starting in the front row and Keenan Palasia at loose forward.

Young half back George Brown, who scored the match winning try in last year’s Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge, will get the chance to start this year and is one of only two players not to have made a first team debut in the starting line up, the other being winger Harley Thomas.  

With a number of senior players coming back from post season surgery or those involvement with the England squad during the Ashes not included, the back line has an exciting youthful look with Max Simpson out to celebrate his new contract at centre alongside Ned McCormack with Riley Lumb getting a chance to impress on the wing with Ryan Hall and Maika Sivo both not required for Boxing Day.

Alfie Edgell will start at full back with Chris Hankinson captaining the side in the halves alongside Brown.

As well as Levi and Mata’utia on the bench, Tom Nicholson-Watton is included along with the next generation of Leeds stars who have been training with the first team squad during pre-season.

The team in full is:

Alfie Edgell
Harley Thomas
Max Simpson
Ned McCormack
Riley Lumb
Chris Hankinson (c)
George Brown
Tom Holroyd
Jarrod O'Connor
Cooper Jenkins
Ben Littlewood
Ethan O'Neill
Keenan Palasia

Interchange from:
Jeremiah Mata'utia
Danny Levi
Tom Nicholson-Watton
Marcus Qareqare
Oscar Brown
Jacob Hardy
Jacob Tooala
Harry Smith
Jacob Stead
Zak Lloyd
Olly Smart
Joe Diskin
Joe Butterfield

Members Discount 

Leeds Rhinos Members will be entitled to discounted match tickets for the fixture. The discount is available to 2025 Season, Flexi and Supporter Members and will also be available to new members who purchase a 2026 Season or Flexi Membership.

Rhinos 2025 Season, Flexi & Supporter Members and 2026 Season and Flexi Members can purchase additional tickets for family and friends and receive the member's discount on those tickets too. This offer is available on all seated and standing tickets and will be valid until midnight on Thursday 25th December. Book now at tickets.therhinos.co.uk

Can't make it to AMT Headingley? Watch our exclusive live stream

Leeds Rhinos will live stream the Boxing Day clash on our official YouTube channel as part of our new Rhinos TV Plus membership. For just £5.99 you can watch the game live from AMT Headingley, kick off 11.30am.

Coverage will start from 11.15am live and exclusive from AMT Headingley with full build up and team news beforehand.

The new YouTube Memberships called Rhinos TV Plus will give fans access to exclusive content such full game replays from the mens Betfred Super League, exclusive priority periods so you will be the first to see features like Behind the Game in full plus live streaming of selected and regular games from the Rhinos Academy and Reserves for matches played at AMT Headingley for just £5.99 a month. It is hoped to include Womens games at AMT Headingley at a later stage once we are allowed to do this by the competition.  

An entry level membership called Rhinos TV will also be available for £3.99 which will have a number of features including most notably early access to features. It will not include live streams and full game replays. 

The new Rhinos TV Plus YouTube membership will kick off on Boxing Day with live coverage of the annual Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge when the Rhinos take on Wakefield Trinity at AMT Headingley, kick off 11.30am on Friday 26^th December.

Rhinos TV Plus members on YouTube will also get exclusive first access to series two of the Spirit of the Rhinos behind the scenes documentary produced by RAM Films which follows the Rhinos throughout the 2025 campaign and will be released in February 2026. 

To join our YouTube Membership, click here and follow the instructions. Please note that only the £5.99 Rhinos TV Plus membership includes live non-Super League selected matches including Boxing Day and mid-week full match replays.

Rugby League live from AMT Headingley on Boxing Day morning was a staple of the Festive period in years gone by when the undersoil heating guarantee a fixture for the television cameras and now the historic fixture will be streamed live. Whilst it is an 11.30am kick off in the UK, it is also convenient for fans around the world too on YouTube. A sample of kick off times below are:

1.30am - Honolulu

3.30am – Los Angeles

6.30am – Toronto / New York

7.30am - Santo Domingo

12.30pm – Toulouse / Perpignan

3.30pm - Dubai

6.30pm - Bangkok

7.30pm – Perth, Australia

9.30pm – Brisbane / Port Moresby

10.30pm – Sydney

11.30pm - Suva

0.30am Thursday - Auckland / Apia 

Buy Tickets

* Concession covers Senior Citizens over 65- and 17–23-year-olds, Disabled – wheelchair and ambulant. Disabled purchasers are entitled to a free companion ticket upon production of a companion allowance entitlement letter.

Are you be heading HOME for Christmas? Tickets can be purchased via tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call 0371 423 1315

Upgrade to Hospitality

Why not upgrade your game day experience and join us in one of our fantastic Hospitality Suites? Our Boxing Day Hospitality Package costs £75+ VAT per person and you can enjoy a bacon sandwich on arrival, complimentary tea and coffee throughout, on-site parking and a premium cushioned seat in the North Stand. Book Now by CLICKING HERE.