Leeds Rhinos Women confirm Sykes return

Leeds Rhinos Women have confirmed that Bella Sykes will return for the club for the remainder of the Betfred Women’s Super League season and she will be eligible to play for the team in this Sunday’s game against York Valkyrie.

Sykes joined the Rhinos in 2023 from Huddersfield Giants and played in that year’s Grand Final and the 2024 Challenge Cup Final.  She took part in the 2026 pre-season with the Rhinos, before moving to Australia to play with Cronulla Sharks' Harvey Norman Premiership team.

Speaking about her return Leeds Rhinos Women’s head coach Lois Forsell said: “Bella is back for the remainder of the season which we are all pleased about.  I have continued to talk to her all year while she has been in Australia.  She has really enjoyed it and had a real good opportunity over there, but she is looking ahead to the World Cup and looking at getting more game time.  It was a no brainer for us to welcome Bella back. 

“I’m really pleased it’s gone well for her over there but she’s obviously getting close to the World Cup.  She met with Stu Barrow when he was over for the Magic Round and we are all excited to see her get back stuck in to Women’s Super League.”

Commenting on her return Sykes said: “I have been playing in the Harvey Norman competition and towards the end of the season, I was looking at my plans for the next couple of months and with World Cup selection being at the end of September and the season coming to an end in Australia I needed to get some game time.  I had a chat with Lois about potentially coming back and I was really keen and excited to get back to playing with the Rhinos.”

Forsell also confirmed that second rower, Stecy Bessière from RC Lescure-Arthes XIII has joined the club following a successful trial.

"Stecy joins us from RC Lescure-Arthes XIII after impressing on a week’s trial with us before going back and playing with France against England and Nigeria.  It’s a great opportunity for her as she keeps learning and challenging herself as she prepares to hopefully go to the World Cup in Australia.”