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Leeds Rhinos predicted team: how new-look side could line up in 2027 Super League round one

Leeds Rhinos have said farewell to eight of the 17 players on duty in last month’s Super League semi-final defeat by Warrington Wolves, which means it’ll be a new-look squad in 2027.

Rhinos have confirmed seven recruits, but several of those look like long-term projects and coach Brad Arthur will have big decisions to make at wing, centre, stand-off, prop and back-row, as well the bench. Of the new faces, Nick Cotric, Morgan Gannon - who has returned to his first professional club after a season in the southern hemisphere NRL - and experienced Aussie Dylan Walker look likely to be in the first-choice 13.

Pre-season will go a long way to determining who features when the new season kicks off - expected to be in late-January - but here’s how we think Rhinos could line up for Super League round one, plus candidates for the 21-man squad.

Here's how they could line up in Super League round one.
1. Leeds Rhinos predicted team Here's how they could line up in Super League round one. Photo Sales
Guaranteed his place - if fully recovered from the hamstring injury which ended his 2026 campaign.
2. Full-back Lachie Miller Guaranteed his place - if fully recovered from the hamstring injury which ended his 2026 campaign. Photo Sales
A dislocated shoulder kept him out of last month's semi-final, but Rhinos are hopeful he’ll be good to go when the new season begins.
3. Wing: Maika Sivo A dislocated shoulder kept him out of last month's semi-final, but Rhinos are hopeful he’ll be good to go when the new season begins. Photo Sales
Yet another whose 2026 campaign ended early because of injury, but should be available for round one.
4. Centre: Ash Handley Yet another whose 2026 campaign ended early because of injury, but should be available for round one. Photo Sales
Signed from Catalans Dragons and can play centre or wing, but as Jack Bird is being linked with a move away the former looks more likely at this stage.
5. Centre: Nick Cotric Signed from Catalans Dragons and can play centre or wing, but as Jack Bird is being linked with a move away the former looks more likely at this stage. Photo Sales
Cotric and Riley Lumb are other options, but Edgell may be at the front of the queue if recovered from the quad muscle injury which halted his 2026 season.
6. Wing: Alfie Edgell Cotric and Riley Lumb are other options, but Edgell may be at the front of the queue if recovered from the quad muscle injury which halted his 2026 season. Photo Sales
Here's how they could line up in Super League round one.
Here's how they could line up in Super League round one.
It’s a big ask for a 19-year-old with four first team games to his belt, but Rhinos have said Brown will get an opportunity to replace Brodie Croft as first-choice number six.
7. Stand-off: George Brown It’s a big ask for a 19-year-old with four first team games to his belt, but Rhinos have said Brown will get an opportunity to replace Brodie Croft as first-choice number six. Photo Sales
Should be rested and motivated following his World Cup snub.
8. Scrum-half: Jake Connor Should be rested and motivated following his World Cup snub. Photo Sales
Could be asked to do longer minutes following Mikolaj Oledzki’s departure.
9. Prop: Keenan Palasia Could be asked to do longer minutes following Mikolaj Oledzki’s departure. Photo Sales
It’ll be a surprise if O’Connor’s not first-choice nine when the new campaign begins.
10. Hooker: Jarrod O’Connor It’ll be a surprise if O’Connor’s not first-choice nine when the new campaign begins. Photo Sales
Was a starter for most of this year and might get first dibs in 2027.
11. Prop: Cooper Jenkins Was a starter for most of this year and might get first dibs in 2027. Photo Sales
Back at Leeds after a year with New Zealand Warriors, he'll be a definite starter when fit.
12. Second-row: Morgan Gannon Back at Leeds after a year with New Zealand Warriors, he'll be a definite starter when fit. Photo Sales
Now established as a starting second-rower, unless needed in any of the multiple other positions he can play.
13. Second-row: Chris Hankinson Now established as a starting second-rower, unless needed in any of the multiple other positions he can play. Photo Sales
The vastly experienced signing from Parramatta Eels can play at centre or in the halves, but number 13 looks his most likely role for Leeds.
14. Loose-forward: Dylan Walker The vastly experienced signing from Parramatta Eels can play at centre or in the halves, but number 13 looks his most likely role for Leeds. Photo Sales
Very good off the bench this year, may be the one to fill Mikolaj Oledzki’s starting boots.
15. Prop: Tom Holroyd Very good off the bench this year, may be the one to fill Mikolaj Oledzki’s starting boots. Photo Sales
Will be in or around the 17 most weeks next term.
16. Sub: Presley Cassell Will be in or around the 17 most weeks next term. Photo Sales
Still good enough to play for England at 35, Watkins offers cover for the backs, middles and edges.
17. Sub: Kallum Watkins Still good enough to play for England at 35, Watkins offers cover for the backs, middles and edges. Photo Sales
The big Aussie back-rower might be competing with fellow recruit Wiremu Greig for the final bench spot, in round one at least.
18. Sub: Edenn Rogers-Smith. The big Aussie back-rower might be competing with fellow recruit Wiremu Greig for the final bench spot, in round one at least. Photo Sales
The Aussie signing has played in the NRL and will hope to force his way into the side.
19. Also in the 21: Wiremu Greig The Aussie signing has played in the NRL and will hope to force his way into the side. Photo Sales
Was missed after suffering a serious neck injury in July.
20. Also in the 21: Danny Levi Was missed after suffering a serious neck injury in July. Photo Sales
Scored five tries in six matches this year and will be pushing for more game time.
21. Also in the 21: Riley Lumb Scored five tries in six matches this year and will be pushing for more game time. Photo Sales
The teenage second-rower impressed in four substitute appearances during 2026.
22. Also in the 21: Zak Lloyd The teenage second-rower impressed in four substitute appearances during 2026. Photo Sales

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