When pre-season starts for Leeds Rhinos & Wakefield Trinity as Castleford Tigers begin training
Just days after the 2025 campaign ended, preparations for 2026 are getting under way.
A season which began with warm-up matches at Christmas finally closed on November 8 when the Ashes Test series between England and Australia came to an end. Castleford Tigers started pre-season, under new coach Ryan Carr, just two days later.
Other than Fijian winger Semi Valemei, who has been on international duty, the full squad were available as Carr began the process of rebuilding Tigers following a hat-trick of bottom three finishes in Betfred Super League.
Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity both finished last season a week later than Tigers, after qualifying for the play-offs and that’s reflected in their pre-season timings. Most of Rhinos’ squad will be in for a day of testing on Friday with training proper due to begin next Monday.
Kallum Watkins, Harry Newman - who is set to undergo hernia surgery - and Mikolaj Oledzki will all be given time off following England duty. Rhinos have yet to announce any additions, but could have some new faces in place when training starts.
Trinity are also back in next Monday. They will be without players who have just completed international action, including England’s Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken and new signing Jazz Tevaga, a substitute for Samoa in yesterday’s 36-14 loss to New Zealand in the Pacific Championship final.