Only five of the current squad were aged over 30 at the start of this season and three of those are in the final year of their contract.
Under-25s including Harry Newman, Mikolaj Oledzki, Cameron Smith, Tom Holroyd and Morgan Gannon are established first-teamers and Rhinos have a wealth of talent waiting in the wings. Here’s how their team could look in five years’ time.
1. Full-back: Alfie Edgell
Only 18, the Kippax product was promoted into Rhinos’ first team squad in pre-season, is well thought-of by the coaching staff and reckoned to have a bright future. Photo: Craig Hawkhead/Leeds Rhinos
2. Wing: Jack Smith
Smith, who turned 18 last month, is in his first year with the full-time squad. He’s big - at 6ft 3 - and a strong ball carrier and could also make an impact on a wing. Photo: Craig Hawkhead/Leeds Rhinos
3. Centre: Harry Newman
Newman won’t be short of offers the next time his contract comes up for renewal, but if Leeds can keep him he’ll be 28 in five years’ time and in his prime. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
4. Centre: Max Simpson
Skilful and quick, Simpson, 18, had a taste of first team rugby last year and would probably have played already in 2023 but for an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
5. Wing: Ned McCormack
Eighteen-year-old McCormack, 18, pictured with club youth boss John Bastian, joined Rhinos last month after starring for England under-18s. He may have a future at centre, but will begin his Leeds career on a wing. Photo: Leeds Rhinos
6. Stand-off: Fergus McCormack
The younger brother of Ned, Fergus McCormack, pictured with coach Rohan Smith, signed a full-time contract straight from Rhinos' scholarship last year. He turned 17 two months ago and clearly has a lot of work to do, but is rated as a genuine prospect. Photo: Leeds Rhinos