Betfred Super League 2026: Leeds in the silverware hunt after devastating end to ’25

Following a heartbreaking end to their 2025 assault, the much-improved Leeds Rhinos are one of the teams to beat in the 2026 Betfred Super League.

Under Brad Arthur’s stewardship, the Rhinos were the great entertainers last season. But St Helens’ incredible last-play try in the play-offs ended their campaign, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of Leeds fans.

Yet that near-miss has only further fuelled the desire of the Rhinos stars, according to veteran winger Ryan Hall.

“It felt like we were a strong side last year, We certainly progressed in that area, we'd got some identity about us. I think other teams started looking at us again as they did in the olden days. So it's nice to be put in that category again," he tells The Sportsman Rugby League, in partnership with Betfred.

“Ultimately it ended in a way that we didn't really want it to, and we felt we still had something left to give last year and probably get an extra stage maybe.”

It’s that sense of unfinished business which could give Leeds an extra edge in ’26, as Hall explains.

“We’re certainly hungry for it this year, and I suppose that's the beauty of last year, trying to turn a negative into a positive. We’re doing that.

“We've got to do it on the field, but mentally we're a team that's hungry.”

One of the key threats last season was Jake Connor’s Man of Steel-winning form, and the much-travelled utility back is keen to make the most of having finally found a home as the Rhinos’ first-choice scrum half.

“I've got Brad and the coaching staff to thank for that,” says Connor of his redeployment since arriving from Huddersfield Giants.

“I’d never played scrum half in my career until I was 30 years old and at the start I questioned myself; could I do it. I’d never led a team around the part, but with Brad’s game plan and how we play… it wasn’t easy, but it was easier to fit in in this team and do what I needed to do. And gradually I got there.

“It was just a shame it took 20 rounds to full-on take control of the team, but I've got that now and I’m a lot better for it this year.”

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And while they didn’t quite hit their goals last term, Connor believes all the underlining progression says much about what the Rhinos could achieve in 2026.

“Last year was a bit of a learning curve going into the play-offs, but the stuff we'd done through this season… All the stats say we were right up there with the best.

“So if we can keep that going and improve on some minor details, I think we should be fighting for silverware this year.”

For Hall, there is a blueprint to follow. Now 38 and in his second spell with Leeds, he wants to emulate Rhinos teammates of the past such as Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and the late, great Rob Burrow by going out at the very top with a Super League trophy under his arm.

“The way that we lost last year, I think that answers its own question [in terms of desire],” Hall adds. “I was gutted that we didn’t win last year.

“I’ve played with some fantastic players in my career and I've seen them exit in the best way. I want to be in that group. I want to do that.”

The Rhinos are 11/2 with Betfred to win a first Super League title since 2017, and are 5/1 for the League Leaders’ Shield. Hall, the competition’s top tryscorer of all time, is 18/1 to finish the regular season with the most tries.

After their 25-12 Betfred Challenge Cup win over Widnes Vikings on Saturday, the Rhinos now prepare for the beginning of their league campaign when they face the Leigh Leopards on Friday night. They also have the small matter of a date with reigning champions Hull KR in Las Vegas on February 28.

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