Leeds Rhinos' Harry Newman 'gutted' at Rohan Smith's exit, 'over the moon' with England call

Newman has also paid tribute to Leeds’ caretaker bosses Chev Walker and Scott Grix, revealed he is fully recovered from a recent concussion and tipped a tough challenge for England in France this weekend.

Leeds beat Leigh Leopards 18-10 last Friday, two days after Smith stepped down. Reflecting on the former coach’s 25 months in charge, Newman stressed: “I had a great relationship with Rohan, both on and off the field. He has done a lot for me personally, as well as my rugby.

“I was gutted to see him go, but our results didn’t go the way everyone expected them to and the club have decided to make the change. I thought the way Chev and Grixy dealt with it, only two days before the game, was phenomenal.

“All the boys as well; to go and perform like that on Friday was massive. We have got to look forward now, we can’t change what’s happened and whoever comes in, I am sure they’ll get it right.”

Last week was Rhinos’ first home game since Rob Burrow’s death at the start of this month and was dedicated to celebrating the former scrum-half’s life and career. Newman and England teammate Ash Handley had to watch from the sidelines because of concussion, but the centre confirmed: “I am fine.

“It was just the protocol you have to go through these days. It can be quite frustrating, but I understand why it’s in place, for your longevity after rugby.”

Both England three-quarters were spotted by Sky TV’s cameras congratulating caretaker coach Walker after the final whistle and Newman added: “It was a massive occasion. I don’t think any club could have done that the way Leeds did it.

“When you are sat on the sidelines you want to be on the field, but to actually watch it, as a spectacle and an occasion and for what it was all about, it was amazing. Obviously it was a very sad day, the passing of Rob, but the way the boys went out there was outstanding.

“It was probably our best performance of the season. I was gutted not to be a part of it, but with the emotion of everything that’s happened with Rob and then Rohan going, I thought the boys handled it great. It was a massive win for us in terms of the ladder, but more importantly we sent Rob off in the right manner.”

Attention has now turned to Saturday’s one-off Test in Toulouse. “It’s the biggest honour you can have, playing for your country, so I am absolutely delighted,” Newman said of his selection in a 20-man squad. “[England coach] Shaun Wane rang me last week before the Leigh game and told me I was in. I was pretty gutted to miss the game, but I was over the moon to get that call.”

England have not lost to France since 1981 and their 22-game winning run includes nine victories across the Channel. France’s last home victory against England was in 1977, but the hosts will field a strong squad on Saturday and Newman insisted Wane’s men are ready for a battle.

“They’ve got a few players from Catalans and Justin Sangare and Mickael Goudemand in there from Leeds as well,” he pointed out. “Going over there, I think it’s going to be quite hot so it will be a decent test, but there’s some quality players in this England squad and they are here for a reason. I am just looking forward to wearing that shirt again and all the lads will be well and truly up for it.”

Newman played in all three Tests during last autumn’s whitewash of Tonga, scoring his first international try in the series finale at AMT Headingley. “It’s my first chance to pull on the England jersey this year,” he said. “I am trying to go out there and build on what I did last year and nail down that position. There’s a lot of good quality English centres, but it is another opportunity for me to showcase what I can do on the international stage.”