Twenty eight players who have made a first team appearance for Leeds are now on the books at one of their Betfred Super League rivals. Castleford Tigers and Salford Red Devils have the biggest contingent with five ex-Leeds first teamers each. There are four at Hull KR, Hull and Leigh, two play for Huddersfield Giants and Wigan Warriors and one each at Warrington Wolves and St Helens. Only Catalans Dragons and London Broncos don’t have a player who has featured in Rhinos’ first team. Excluding players who left Leeds without breaking into the senior side, here’s the full list.
13. Kruise Leeming (Wigan Warriors)
Having joined Rhinos from Huddersfield Giants ahead of the 2020 season, Leeming was granted a transfer request three games into last year. He spent the rest of the season with Gold Coast Titans and is now at Wigan Warriors. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
14. Tui Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants)
Signed from Wests Tigers, the Tongan Test full-back/stand-off played 17 times for Rhinos in 2019 and was traded to Salford in a deal which saw Rob Lui move the other way. He joined Huddersfield Giants two years ago. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
15. Nene Macdonald (Salford Red Devils)
The three-quarter scored two tries in 20 games for Leeds last year after joining them from Leigh. Having failed to return from family leave in Australia, he was released from his long-term deal last autumn and then signed for Salford. Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
16. Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers)
Leeds-born McShane came through Rhinos’ academy and played 58 top-flight games from 2009-2013, as well as loan stints at Hull FC and Widnes Vikings. The hooker had a brief spell at Wakefield Trinity and was then swapped for Castleford’s Scott Moore 10 years ago. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
17. Alex Mellor (Castleford Tigers)
The second-rower joined Leeds from Huddersfield Giants in 2020 and played 34 times - including a Wembley win in his debut campaign - before a mid-season move to Castleford Tigers two years ago. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
18. Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards)
Having come through Rhinos’ academy, the prop made five substitute appearances in 2014-15. He moved to Leigh last year after spells with Hull KR and Warrington Wolves. Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com