2020

The 2020 season was one of the strangest seasons in the club?s history as the Rhinos went from being locked down to locking up a 14th Challenge Cup title.

The off season saw the Rhinos recruit experience and upcoming talent, while also promoting talent from within. Luke Gale made his long awaited return to the club from Castleford, having been through Leeds? academy but released, while NRL Premiership winner Matt Prior was also recruited from Cronulla Sharks. The Rhinos also did a double swoop of local rivals Huddersfield, signing second rower Alex Mellor and hooker Kruise Leeming to bolster the pack.

The first major event to start the new year was the joint testimonial and fundraiser game for Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Rob Burrow. Burrow had announced he had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2019 and after the sporting world had rallied round the Leeds legend, it was announced that the match against derby rivals Bradford Bulls would be a joint event, with former Rhinos Kevin Sinfield,  Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai, Danny McGuire, Keith Senior, Ryan Bailey and Brett Delaney all returning to the field for the first time in over five years as Leeds won the game 34-10 at a sold out Headingley.

Headingley hosted back to back sold out crowds following the testimonial and fundraising game as the home of the Rhinos hosted two round one matches. Following Castleford?s win over Toronto, the Rhinos took on Hull FC but the visitors had other plans; Lee Radford?s side claiming a 30-4 win. After intense rain postponed the round two tie against Huddersfield, the Rhinos got back on track against Hull KR. Seven players ran nine tries passed the Robins, including two for Cameron Smith and Harry Newman in the 52-10 win.

Jack Walker scored the pick of the tries at the AJ Bell Stadium against Salford Red Devils before the red hot Rhinos shut out Warrington at Headingley; Ash Handley, Ava Seumanufagai, Konrad Hurrell, Brad Dwyer, Richie Myler and Jack Walker scoring tries in one of Leeds best performances of the season.

A week later, back on home soil, Leeds sent another clear message to the league by thrashing Toronto Wolfpack 66-12 at the start of March but the Rhinos? good form had to be put on ice as the heightening coronavirus pandemic saw sports across the world suspend their seasons and force players to train and stay at home.

Five months later, rugby league finally returned with games held behind closed doors for the remainder of the season. Headingley hosted the season restart and the Rhinos showed resolve to fight back from 26-6 down against Huddersfield Giants to win 27-26 in golden point extra time, thanks to the boot of Luke Gale.

The league leaders St Helens and Wigan continued their winning return to the league by both defeating Leeds in round eight and nine but the Rhinos picked their form back up by punishing Salford 50-12, Ash Handley and Richie Myler both scoring hat tricks. Another matchup against Huddersfield ended in more drop goal drama too as Gale was on hand once again to get Leeds the two points.

Alongside the league returning, the Challenge Cup did too and Leeds began with a resounding 30-point win over Hull KR. Days later, the two clubs met again and the result was the same, the Rhinos winning 41-16. The one event that overshadowed the game though was in the 30th minute when Harry Newman was stretched from the field with a double leg break.

With the schedule of fixtures becoming busier and to prevent key players from becoming fatigued, Richard Agar gave his younger players a chance to shine in a number of games towards the end of the season. As a semi final against Wigan loomed, the Rhinos head coach named his youngest ever starting 13. Although they were defeated 34-6, stand out performances from Liam Tindall, Jack Broadbent and Jarrod O?Connor impressed those watching in the stadium and at home.

While the young Rhinos were competing in the league, the rest of the Rhinos squad knew a win over Wigan would take them to their first Challenge Cup Final in five years. A brilliant team effort saw Leeds take a 20-0 lead into the break and Adrian Lam?s side had little to respond with in the second half; Harry Smith and Zak Hardaker scoring consolation tries as Leeds marched on with a 26-12 win.

Only two weeks separated Leeds? semi final win from the trip to Wembley. During that fortnight, the club convincingly downed Hull FC on home turf and another young Rhinos side gave Warrington a scare at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, although the Wolves went on to win 32-6.

On Saturday 17th October, the Rhinos and Salford Red Devils met in the capital to fight it out to become Challenge Cup champions. For players, staff and directors in attendance, it was an odd experience as there was no fans and no real atmosphere inside Wembley as the Covid pandemic continued. Nevertheless, both sides were up for the fight from kick off and Tom Briscoe was the first to draw blood on twelve minutes with his try in the corner. Rhys Williams? length of the field effort put the Red Devils on level terms but Ash Handley kept the Rhinos in front at half time. Pauli Pauli and James Greenwood?s tries ten minutes into the second half proved a shock to those watching but Handley was on hand to level the score once again heading into the game?s climax. With four minutes to go, Leeds struck the winner, thanks once again to the boot of captain Gale, and the celebrations could begin.

Back in Super League, a defeat at the hands of St Helens