Leeds Rhinos fans will catch a glimpse of three new signings on Boxing Day when Wakefield Trinity travel to Headingley.
Brad Arthur has named his team for the traditional December 26th clash against Daryl Powell’s side and he will give Ethan O’Neill, Danny Levi and Jeremiah Mata’utia the opportunity to run out at Headingley in blue and amber for the first time.
O’Neill has been named in the starting XIII, with the second-rower joining from Leigh Leopards during the off-season. Mata’utia and Levi look set to be used off the bench, though, with supporters eager to see all three players in action later this month.
Although the three signings have been included, Arthur has named a young Leeds squad for the clash with Wakefield, with senior faces being few and far between.
Alfie Edgell starts at full-back, with Harley Thomas, Max Simpson, Ned McCormack and Riley Lumb making up the outside backs for the clash. Chris Hankinson, who has been kept on after arriving from Salford Red Devils late last season, looks set to play in the halves alongside George Brown.
The pack is a little more experienced, with Tom Holroyd, Jarrod O’Connor and Cooper Jenkins starting in the front-row. O’Neill and Ben Littlewood are at 11 and 12, while Keenan Palasia will feature as a loose-forward.
Mata’utia and Levi feature on a list of potential interchanges that includes Tom Nicholson-Watton, Marcus Qareqare and Joe Diskin.
SQUAD NEWS | Ethan O’Neill, Jeremiah Mata’utia and Danny Levi are all in our squad for the 2025 @wetherbywhaler Festive Challenge!
MORE 🔽https://t.co/Au0LGUjHLa
🎟️https://t.co/dhVKR76DQj pic.twitter.com/9RrNrJ0JIT
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) December 18, 2025
Leeds Rhinos team v Wakefield Trinity
Leeds Rhinos team to face Wakfield Tirnity on Boxing Day: Alfie Edgell; Harley Thomas, Max Simpson, Ned McCormack, Riley Lumb; Chris Hankinson (c), George Brown, Tom Holroyd, Jarrod O’Connor, Cooper Jenkins; Ben Littlewood, Ethan O’Neill; Keenan Palasia
Interchange from:
Jeremiah Mata’utia, Danny Levi, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Marcus Qareqare, Oscar Brown, Jacob Hardy, Jacob Tooala, Harry Smith, Jacob Stead, Zak Lloyd, Olly Smart, Joe Diskin, Joe Butterfield.
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