Debut: Vs Salford Red Devils (H) 18/07/2025

Honours:

Academy product Presley Cassell is one of the brightest talents to come out of the Leeds Rhinos system in recent years, as the forward is predicted to have a big future in the game in years to come.

After leading the Rhinos Academy and Reserves during a strong 2025 campaign, he was handed his senior debut at 18-years-old as he came on as a substitute against Salford Red Devils in a 42-6 win at AMT Headingley. It was the first of seven appearances for Cassell, who opened his try scoring account against Castleford before adding a second try against Hull KR to crown his first Leeds start. Returning to the Reserves and Academy ranks, he featured in both Grand Finals against Warrington on his way to recieving the club's Young Player of the Year award at the end of the season awards.

Cassell played his junior rugby at West Bowling before being scouted for the club's Scholarship programme ahead of the 2022 season. Under head coach Mark Butterill, he scored three tries in five games as the club went on to win five out of seven matches, and in 2023 he was one of the first names on the team sheet as he played every game and was one of the leading try scorers with five on his way to collecting the Scholarship Player of the Year award.

His development continued in the Under-18s Academy after the loose forward agreed his first professional contract to stay at Leeds. Despite enduring an Academy campaign of mixed results, Cassell was one of 17 first-year players who featured across most of the season as he played all 12 matches for Tony Smith's side. Alongside scoring tries against Hull FC, Wakefield, Castleford and Hull KR, his leadership on the field and fearlessness to carry the ball into contact and tackle hard made him a standout as he won the 2024 Academy Player of the Year. Alongside featuring for the Under-18s, he also scored three tries in five matches for the Reserves to conclude a great year for Cassell.

During the 2025 season, Brad Arthur handed Cassell a senior squad number as he was given number 29 after featuring as 18th man for the Rhinos win over Leigh Leopards at AMT Headingley.