Teenage Leeds Rhinos play-maker George Brown is a name to watch out for in 2026.

The 18-year-old has been training with Rhinos’ first team and, though he hasn’t yet been awarded a squad number, a debut could be on the cards this year. Brown made a statement of intent with a try and a man of the match performance, at scrum-half, in Rhinos’ opening pre-season win against Wakefield Trinity.

He also scored in the 2024 Boxing Day game, when he made a brief appearance off the bench and went on to be named Rhinos’ academy player of the year and man of the match when Warrington Wolves were beaten in the reserve grade Grand Final. Brown, a specialist stand-off, played the full 80 minutes of the recent Christmas fixture and stressed: “I was really happy.

George Brown goes over to score for Leeds Rhinos against Wakefield Trinity. Picture by Steve Riding.

“There were a few good bits in there and a few bits to tidy up, but that’s going to happen in the first game. There was something positive to take from it and hopefully we can improve in the next one.”

At 18 - his birthday is in February - Brown has time on his side, but Brodie Croft and Jake Connor are the only specialist halves in Leeds’ squad and the club’s management have insisted he will be high in their thoughts if either is ruled out. “Now Jack [Sinfield] has moved on, that spot is available,” Brown said.

“But all I am focussing on now is playing my game, controlling what I can control and improving week-in, week-out. If that opportunity were to come I’d absolutely love it, but I am not focussing on that. I’ll concentrate on my game and hopefully that will come off the back of my performances.”

The Boxing Day match, played in front of an 11,000 crowd, was “a really good experience”, for Brown, who was charged with organising the side. He said: “We had a really good team out there. Wakefield put a relatively young team out, but a good side so it was a good test for us and a good test for myself. I’ve not really played seven before so there are a few bits to tidy up, but they are things I can get on top of, easy fixes.”

George Brown on the attack for Leeds Rhinos against Wakefield Trinity. Picture by Steve Riding.

The youngster’s try, when he threw a dummy and stepped through the defence, was a highlight of the match. Brown admitted: “I think I went a bit over the top [with his celebration], but I really enjoyed it. You practice those bits in training and when it comes off, you really enjoy it.”

Working with Croft and Connor, Brown is in a good place to learn his trade. “They are unreal,” he said of the first-choice halves. “Playing against them in training helps me a lot, I can learn off them and if I can get an opportunity to jump in with them in training or even in a game, that would be unbelievable. I am learning loads off them at the minute and I can really see my game developing. I am more confident with certain things and I feel like I am really building now under them.”