Smith does a huge amount of tackles. With Gannon coming back after a year off with concussion issues I wouldn't think making him a tackling machine would be a good idea. Hope to see him as more of an attacking threat. Really haven't seen enough of him in a Leeds shirt to know how good he really is however it looks like the club has confidence in him long term.

I'm in favour of the expansion of the game, especially in areas that draw good local crowds like Perpignan. 


But after so many years I don't think Catalans have the right culture to move the game in the northern hemisphere forward. Perhaps this is more an issue with their club's ownership and management. Catalans should be a superpower team in SL by now. Instead, we have in effect a less ambitious version of Warrington, a club still over-dependent on NRL and even SL talent (Makinson?!), despite in theory having the whole of the French domestic competition to select from.


I can't for the life of me understand McNamara's longevity as a coach. Which other top SL team would take him? Richard Agar has done as much in SL, with a much shorter top flight career. Hopefully not in the frame for Arthur's replacement! And then there is the persistent reliance on Tomkins etc. 

Would love him back at the club, but not sure a 34 year old trying to get away from a troubled club is holding too many aces.

I have been informed that Leeds will be announcing that Kallum Watkins will.be rejoining the club.
His signing should be announced early next week.


I have been told that the initial deal is for the remainder of this season and also for the 2026 season.


Fitness and form permitting then their is an option for the 2027 season too.


Kallum has a coaching role at the club in the pipeline for when he eventually hangs up his boots.


He is scheduled to play for Salford in the CC game against Catalans this week.
It will be interesting to see if he actually turns out for them or not?

Surely he can't play. Leeds would not want him to get crocked a couple of days before signing, which would be just our luck. 

Hopefully Kallum won't be making a farewell appearance for Salford Arthur as he will have a tight hamstring.


I'm reading between the lines here of what I was told,so this is only my opinion.


Is it any coincidence that Kallum refused to play for Salford last week,When he could have breached his contract at Salford by refusing to play?


The person who told me that the Kallum deal had been agreed,But had not yet been officially signed, wasn't sure if he still had to play whilst still technically being a Salford player.


I'd also be very surprised if Kallum played for Salford as this deal has been going on for the past couple of weeks.


One other point that I was told,but forgot to mention, is that Leeds had to do some serious mathematics with the Salary cap in order to be able to fit Kallum in so that he could sign for the 2025 season.


Me guessing here,But could he be registered as a home grown Marquee player for only £50,000 counting on the cap?