Leeds Rhinos line-up Kallum Watkins reunion with former captain targeted

[josie andrews]

Watkins has been linked with a move to Headingley next season.

Leeds are understood to be keen on bringing former skipper Kallum Watkins back to Headingley in 2025.

The Salford captain reminded his old club of his class by grabbing two crucial tries in Saturday’s 22-16 win over Rhinos. And they are now set to move to try and capture the England international in another raid on the Red Devils. Watkins, 33, scored 132 tries in 259 Rhinos games after emerging through their academy, winning three Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups.

After being made skipper in 2018, the stylish centre left for a brief stint in the NRL with Gold Coast Titans the following year. But, via an even shorter spell with Toronto when he didn’t make a Super League appearance, Watkins joined Salford in 2020 and helped them reach Wembley.

He reclaimed his international spot for the World Cup two years later, playing in every game, but has since reinvented himself as one of Super League’s top second-rows.

Watkins earned a Dream Team spot in 2023 after taking on the captaincy. He has become an integral part of Paul Rowley’s Red Devils side as they look to make the play-offs for a second time in three campaigns, growing into an inspirational leader.

They are now well-placed in fourth, delivering a crushing blow to Rhinos' own top-six hopes with Saturday's vital victory. Watkins is under contract until the end of next season but Leeds sporting director Ian Blease - who switched from Salford in June - knows just what the influential player can bring.

The Red Devils sold star players Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers to Rhinos last autumn and could now be set for a fight to hang on to another of their prized assets. However, whether Watkins would be keen to make a Headingley return remains to be seen. Leeds already know they will lose one leading back-row after it was confirmed Rhyse Martin, 31, will leave at the end of this season.

Meanwhile, Leeds captain Cameron Smith is set to miss Saturday’s clash with champions Wigan Warriors after copping a ban. The loose forward, 25, has received a one match penalty notice for a Grade B dangerous contact in the loss against Salford. It was deemed the higher end of the grade so he will sit out this weekend’s Headingley clash unless he decides to appeal and succeeds.

Salford’s Tim Lafai was also hit with a one match penalty notice by the match review panel for a Grade C head contact which saw him sin-binned in the same fixture. Hull FC have been dealt a double blow with two players sidelined by the review panel following incidents in their heavy defeat to St Helens.

Vice-captain Brad Fash, yellow-carded on the day, and second-row Jordan Lane have each received one match penalty notices for Grade B head contacts. Both were deemed the higher end of the grade so they, too, are set to be suspended this weekend for the Black and Whites’ trip to Leigh.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... m-29682253

[fozzie58]

Hall,now it seems Watkins at this rate they’ll be bringing Sinfield out of retirement

[EDINBURGH-WARRIOR]

Leeds would appear to have no money or very little ambition for next season

EW

[the pieman]

whilst there is no doubt he's had a bit of a swansong at salford when moved to the 2nd row, this cant be a serious move for Leeds or are they trying to rebuild the team from 10+ years ago in the hope of winning something again

[morley pie eater]

Good news for us that Cameron Smith is out for Saturday's game. I believe that he's their top tackler and one of very few at Headingley whose commitment and skill is never in doubt in the view of many Leeds fans.