Leeds Rhinos Women confirm coaching staff for 2026 season

Leeds Rhinos Women have confirmed their new assistant coaches for the 2026 season, with former Leeds Rhinos men’s assistant coach Barry Eaton returning to the club and Richard Tillotson joining Lois Forsell’s staff from Huddersfield Giants Women.

The appointments come after the departure of former assistant coach Laura Wilson, who has left to spend more time with her family and Leon Crick who was interim coach last season whilst Forsell was on maternity leave and supported the coaching team on match days.

Eaton was part of the Rhinos men’s coaching team between 2012 and 2018, working as Brian McDermott’s assistant coach during many successful seasons, including the treble winning season.  Eaton has also coached at Keighley and Hunslet.  During his playing career he played at stand-off, scrum half and hooker and represented Wales four times.  A record-breaking goal kicker, he started his career at Doncaster and went on to play for Wakefield, Dewsbury, Castleford, Widnes, Batley and Keighley.

Tillotson, played full back for Dewsbury player before switching codes to play for Keighley and then joining the coaching staff for Huddersfield Giants Women.

Speaking about the changes in the coaching team, head coach Lois Forsell said: “I knew pretty early on last year that Laura Wilson was going to be stepping back from her role and Leon had come back temporarily to support the team.  Laura coached on the P2P and had been my assistant coach for the last two seasons.  She was fantastic for the club and I am grateful for all the work she put in.

“Last year we welcomed Barry Eaton in a consultancy role, when Leon stepped back, and I am delighted he has agreed to come on board in a more permanent role.  He’s been there and done it and won many trophies with the men’s team.  He has been head coach in the Championship so it’s great that we can get someone of his experience to be part of the coaching set up.  Having him in has also been massive for me in terms of that mentor role and the girls have all warmed to him, he’s brilliant with the squad in how he approaches getting them to learn and understand. 

“We have also appointed Rich Tillotson from Giants Women.  He has been brilliant and like a breath of fresh air.  He’s hard working, committed and passionate and knows his detail as well.  The girls have enjoyed having him around because he is so keen and when you are training late on an evening it is good to have someone with that level of energy and we are lucky to have him.”

Tillotson said: “I have grown up a Leeds fan so being asked to join the club was something I was proud about.  It was a tough decision as I loved the Giants staff and players, but ultimately it was the right move for me and I can’t wait for the season to start.  The girls have been really welcoming and the mindset they have got and their attitude towards what they are doing is great to see.  There’s no secret that as coaches we want to win, we want to be in Grand Finals and that’s where the players want to be too.  Everyone’s working hard and coming in early and we are on the right path to be competing next year.”