Kallum Watkins has been revealed as the Betfred Super League Champions captain for 2018 with just three weeks to go until the new season.
The England international made his debut as a teenager at the Rhinos a decade ago and he will take over the captain’s armband from Danny McGuire, who has moved to Hull KR during the close season having led the side to their eighth title at Old Trafford last October.
The former Latchford Albion amateur is a one club man having moved to Leeds whilst still at school. He has made 224 appearances for the club already and played in five of England’s six games at the World Cup.
The 26-year-old told the Leeds Rhinos Website: “It is a massive honour for me and a real privilege for me to be captain of this team and for this great club. I am truly honoured having been here for ten years.
“I have learned from the best and I have gained a lot of experience from the big games I have been involved in. Having played alongside people who lead from the front like Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Danny McGuire, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Rob Burrow to name just a few, I have learned and developed as a man and a player.”
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brian McDermott commented, “The captaincy of this great club is a big task. When you look across our group, whilst there are those who have leadership qualities, Kallum is a fantastic candidate who has stood up to be counted over the last eighteen months and was an obvious choice for 2018.
“When I told the group that Kallum would be our new captain, the squad were really happy and confident that Kallum will get the job done.
“The Leeds captaincy is not an issue many Leeds coaches have had to deal with down the years because of the long and outstanding leadership that Kevin Sinfield provided us with. His record speaks for itself but I would also pay tribute to the job Danny McGuire did in the last two years. Being the next captain after Kevin was always going to be a sizeable task but Danny handled it magnificently on all occasions.
“Kallum has emerged under those two inspirational leaders and he showed his best with things were at their hardest. That is why I had no hesitation in making him our captain for 2018 and I know he will lead our team with distinction.”
Leeds Rhinos kick off the new season away at Warrington Wolves on February 1, live on Sky Sports.