Leeds Rhinos boss confirms Chris Hankinson contract decision, gives injury update for Wakefield Trinity derby

Hankinson joined Leeds from Salford Red Devils last August on a deal until the end of the year and signed a new 12-month contract in pre-season, which included an option for 2027. He told the Yorkshire Evening Post in May he was “pretty certain” he would be at Leeds next term and, speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Wednesday), Arthur said: “Chank is signed for next year. I am pretty sure another year got triggered.”

Rhinos this week announced forward Kallum Watkins has signed a contract extension for 2027 and Arthur reckons the 35-year-old could play on after that. “He’s the sort of person we want to have around the club long-term,” Arthur stated. “He’s happy to do it a year at a time to see how his body goes and he will make a decision on when he’s done.

“At the moment he is still playing well, he still contributes every week, we can still get big minutes out of him, he is still playing physical and his leadership quality is only getting better.”

That leaves 38-year-old winger Ryan Hall as the only senior player whose contract status for next year hasn’t been decided. Arthur said: “Bleasey [sporting director Ian Blease] is in on-going conversations with Hally at the moment. Hally has been out injured so they will come to a decision on that sooner or later.”

Hall and captain Ash Handley have both returned to Rhinos’ initial squad for Friday’s sold out top-two Betfred Super League derby at Wakefield Trinity, which will be refereed by Liam Moore. Outside-back Alfie Edgell is in contention after missing last week’s win against Toulouse with a hamstring problem.

Hall has been sidelined for exactly a month because of a foot injury and Arthur said: “Alfie is a good chance, he will train today. Hally is close, but probably not until next week. We will give him every opportunity with training today, but I think Alfie is more of a chance than Hally.”

Handley has missed three matches since having his appendix removed and Arthur added: “He has got to get through training today, but he trained well on Monday and he should be right to play. It is good to have our captain back.

“We probably missed a touch of his leadership against Castleford [a 34-32 defeat three weeks ago], but I thought the boys responded really well without him last week. His overall leadership will be handy for us and also every time he touches the ball he’s a threat and he is very, very good defensively with his decision-making.”

Arthur stressed: “All those guys who’ve been out - Hally, Keenan [Palasia], Maika [Sivo] - will have been refreshed when they come back, with not having the grind of week to week playing. We will be expecting plenty out of them and they’ve got to be the ones that lead the energy and intent from the team.”

Hooker Danny Levi will have a scan on his neck injury in 10 days’ time and could be back in contention the following week. “He is feeling good and feeling ready and he wants to play, but we have got to make sure we tick all the boxes first,” Arthur said.