Riley Lumb commits to Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos have been given a major boost ahead of this evening’s Betfred Super League West Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Giants at AMT Headingley with the news that one of the clubs brightest young stars has committed his future to the club, agreeing a new deal.

Winger Riley Lumb has pledged his long-term future to the club, that will keep him at AMT Headingley at least until the end of the 2029 Betfred Super League season. The 20-year-old has had a breakout season so far with the Rhinos after becoming a first choice winger following the season ending injury to new signing Maika Sivo. Lumb has already crossed for six tries in nine games this campaign. He had two years remaining on his current deal but has now agreed a new four-year deal with the club. The former Lock Lane junior came through the academy ranks last at the Rhinos, marking his debut last season with two tries at Hull FC.

Commenting on his decision to commit his future to the Rhinos, Lumb said: “I'm really enjoying my rugby at the minute. I am playing week in, week out and I am really happy to be staying here.

“I've been at the Rhinos since the scholarship. I am really looking forward to what lies ahead. I'm here to win things as well, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can go this year and hopefully we can get some silverware. I’m just trying to improve every week. I have meetings with Brad Arthur every week about my defence and attacking game and just the things I can improve on.

“I wasn’t really expecting to play so much this year, obviously with Maika coming over but as a result of Maika’s unfortunate injury, I have been selected by Brad and things are working out for me. Ash Handley has been great for me to play alongside and also off the field as well. He talks to me about little things that I can do to improve my game and he’s always been a really big help to me.”

Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director Ian Blease added: “As a club are very pleased to have secured Riley’s long-term future. Building a competitive squad requires a good mixture of players coming through the youth pathway programme with experienced players.  Riley is now an example of this, coming through our youth transition into Super League. The club will continue to evolve on this front, with excellent work being done by our coaches in our youth systems, plus it is important for me to demonstrate that we will reward our young players when they put the hard work in to achieve wearing the Rhinos shirt in the first team. Riley is a player who I love to watch, and is now becoming a regular in Super League, however he would be the first to admit, he still has lots to learn, and as a club we will need to look after him. With this new deal he is now very much part of our clubs future plans.”

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur added: “Riley thoroughly deserves this new deal after his efforts over the last year. The biggest compliment I can give him is that he is a fast learner. Every challenge he has faced, he has taken in head on and is better each week for the experience. I thought last week at Salford, although he wasn’t on the score sheet, he had one of his best games for us because you could see his growing maturity and self assurance in the game and that only comes from having the right attitude to improving and listening to your coaches and team mates.”