Table-toppers Leeds Rhinos are confident of agreeing a long-term deal with one of their most promising young talents.
Teenage back-rower Zak Lloyd is highly rated by Leeds’ management and came through their youth system to make his Super League debut last month.
The 18-year-old has been in the Rhinos’ 17 for their past four games, and speaking after last Sunday’s victory at York Knights, coach Brad Arthur insisted: “All the signs at the moment are that he is certainly going to be a Super League player of the future and at our club.”
Despite his inexperience, Lloyd has already attracted attention from clubs in the NRL, including Papua New Guinea Chiefs who will enter the competition in 2028 under current Hull KR boss Willie Peters.
However, Rhinos are optimistic Lloyd will sign a new contract with them. Sporting Director Ian Blease confirmed: “The offer is with Zak and his agent, so it’s up to him.
“Both parties are working hard to get the deal over the line, and it should happen pretty soon.”
Fellow youngsters including George Brown, Ben Littlewood, Oscar Brown, Jacob Hardy, Oliver Smart and Joe Diskin have all extended their time with Rhinos this season.
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Blease insisted: “There is a commitment from the club to secure our young players, which we have been doing over the last few months.
“Zak is one of the important pieces of that jigsaw, like the rest of them are.”
There will be a new look to Rhinos’ senior squad next year, with six players who have featured in the first team in 2026 moving on at the end of the campaign.
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The departure of centres Harry Newman and Ned McCormack, props Mikolaj Oledzki and Jeremiah Mata’utia, second-rower James McDonnell and loose-forward Cameron Smith leaves big gaps to fill, and Blease confirmed the club are “looking to strengthen in the middle/back-row and centre/wingers”.
The signings of second-rower Morgan Gannon and utility-player Dylan Walker from the NRL have already been announced, whilst Leeds are believed to be closing in on Catalans Dragons three-quarter Nick Cotric and back-rower Edenn Rogers-Smith.
Blease declined to comment on either player, but stressed the number of recruits is dependent on the salary cap.
Max Simpson will be back on the cap next year after Rhinos were granted dispensation for 2026 when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season which ruled him out for the entire campaign.
“We have to make sure everything fits in with the cap,” Blease stressed.
“We want to strike the right balance between bringing our home-grown players through and sprinkling a bit of magic dust with experienced English or overseas signings.
“It is exciting. We are putting a squad together I think will be able to compete again next year.
“The players who are leaving have played a great part this year up to now – they are a good group, and I have a lot of faith in them.
“Hopefully we can continue that for the rest of this year, then we will carry on strengthening for next year and the year after.
“The succession plan, in terms of our youth, is pretty much done now.”
