Leeds Rhinos’ season ended one game short of Old Trafford, but there’s no shortage of connections to Saturday’s Grand Finalists Wakefield Trinity and Warrington Wolves.

Three of Trinity’s 21-man squad and their head-coach are ex-Rhinos players. Half-back Jack Sinfield was released from the final year of his Leeds contract 12 months ago, in order to gain more regular game time with Wakefield. He made 29 Rhinos appearances from 2022-25.

After spells as an academy player at Wakefield and Wigan Warriors, centre Corey Hall made his Super League debut in 2020 for Rhinos against Catalans Dragons at Headingley. He featured only three times before Trinity paid a fee to take him back to Belle Vue.

James Bentley, now of Warrington Wolves, looks dejected after Leeds Rhinos' Grand Final defeat by St Helens four years ago. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.

He later joined Hull KR and had a stint on loan at Castleford Tigers before signing at Trinity for the third time ahead of the 2025 season. Veteran forward Jay Pitts, who will hang up his boots following the Grand Final, also returned to Trinity after beginning his professional career there.

He made his debut in 2008 and was quickly snapped up by Rhinos, featuring 27 times in four seasons. Pitts landed back at Wakefield in 2020, having also played for Hull FC, Bradford Bulls and London Broncos.

Trinity coach Daryl Powell was Rhinos’ stand-off in the inaugural Grand Final 28 years ago, when they were beaten by Wigan Warriors. He coached Leeds from 2001-2003.

On the other side, James Bentley - scorer of Warrington’s opening try in last week’s semi-final win at Rhinos - started in the second-row the last time Rhinos reached Old Trafford, losing to his previous club St Helens in 2022. Prop James Harrison made four appearances for Leeds in 2020, on loan from Featherstone Rovers. He made his debut in the same game as Hall.