Semi-Finals: Handley leading Rhinos' charge

Ash Handley has been at the heart of Leeds Rhinos' rise back into Grand Final contention in 2026.

The long-serving winger, recently turned centre and now club captain, has played a pivotal role in the Rhinos' resurgence, helping guide the club back among the Super League elite.

After spending 15 weeks at the summit, Leeds narrowly missed out on the League Leaders' Shield as Wigan Warriors surged ahead in the closing stages of the season.

But with a home Betfred Super League Semi-Final against Warrington Wolves awaiting on Friday Night, Handley insists there is still everything to play for.

The Rhinos are now just 80 minutes away from a return to Old Trafford, where they are chasing a first Grand Final appearance since 2022 and a first title since their famous triumph in 2017.

Handley featured in Leeds' last Grand Final appearance, ending on the losing side against St Helens, and is determined to help his club take the next step this time around:

"It's been a good year. We’ve played really well as a team, and we’ve got a really good group. The group have stayed relatively healthy.

"I know we've had a bit of a blip towards the back end. But we’ve been right up there.

“I think other than the last couple of weeks, we’ve been at the top of the table since like Round 12 or 13, and that’s what you want to be doing.

"For Leeds to be up there challenging and in the Play-Offs, we’re pretty happy. Obviously, we wanted to win the League Leaders’ Shield, but that wasn’t to be, and now we’ve still got a chance to go and win the Grand Final."

Much of Leeds' success this season has been built on their formidable home form at AMT Headingley Stadium. The Rhinos remained unbeaten on home soil for much of the campaign before suffering three consecutive defeats at the back end of the regular season.

Despite a slight downturn in results in recent weeks, Handley believes the Rhinos know exactly what is required as the stakes continue to rise:

"We’re looking forward to the challenge now and playing well as a group and getting stuck into the fight.

"Everyone has their spells; we had a good spell and then we were just unfortunate to pick up some injuries at the back end there.

"We just want to get back to the way that we know we can play, and as long as we’re doing that, I think we will be okay."

A top two finish was effectively secured thanks to Leeds' superior points difference, but second place was officially confirmed in the final round of the regular season.

That reward has brought with it a valuable week off and, crucially, home advantage in this week’s Semi-Finals.

For Handley, both factors could prove vital as Leeds look to make their move for Old Trafford.

"We want to be playing at home. I also think the week off is beneficial,” Handley said.

"We’ll have this extra week now to tick off a few things we probably wouldn't have been able to do before. We’ve got a few people moving around and we’ll look to strengthen up those combinations."

With eight Grand Final titles already etched in the club's history, Leeds know exactly what success on rugby league's biggest stage looks like.

The challenge now is to add another chapter to that proud legacy and end a wait for silverware that, by the Rhinos' standards, has felt far too long.

"It would be great. That's what we've wanted for a long time now.

"We’ve been building and we want to be right up there challenging. I think if we could go and win that, it would cap off for a season that’s been tremendous for us. It's something to show for it."

Asked to reflect on the campaign so far, Handley points to one moment above all others.

The Rhinos' historic trip to Las Vegas captured the imagination of supporters and showcased the club on a global stage, with Leeds producing one of their standout performances of the season under the bright lights.

For the captain, it remains the defining memory of an unforgettable year.

"Vegas was the highlight. A lot of us look back on Vegas.

"I just think the whole week and the noise around the games, the support we ha, with all the fans, the atmosphere in Vegas - to then go on and performance like that was incredible."

Now, with a place in the Grand Final on the line, Handley and Leeds are hoping there is still one more memorable chapter left to write.

The Rhinos already beaten the Wolves twice in 2026, but with Sam Burgess' side in red hot form, will they be able to overcome them?

Watch Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves' Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Final on Friday 25 September, live on Sky Sports (K.O. 8pm).

Click here to find out more about the Semi-Finals, and click here to buy tickets.

Be a part of Rugby League's biggest night and book your tickets for the Betfred Super League Grand Final here!