Kallum Watkins: Leeds Rhinos player agrees new contract

Kallum Watkins has agreed a one-year contract extension at Leeds Rhinos.

The 34-year-old will stay at the Headingley club at least until the end of next season, and he says that he has already discussed a role with the Rhinos beyond the end of his playing career.

Watkins rejoined Leeds, with whom he previously spent 12 years, earlier this season after leaving troubled Salford City Reds.

He made his 400th career appearance in the win over Warrington Wolves on Saturday and is an England international.

He won six Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge with the Rhinos in his first spell with the club, from 2007 to 2019.

Watkins told the club website: “I’ve had to change my game a little bit from last time I was here, but I’ve always had that strong ethic of working hard regardless of position.

“When I first spoke to Ian Blease about the Rhinos, we spoke about the chance to play longer than this year and hopefully an opportunity when I’m finishing playing to start the next phase of my career.”

Watkins has been a key player as Leeds have risen to third in the Super League table with a run of five consecutive wins, and head coach Brad Arthur said: “He’s a talented footballer who you can put anywhere, and he gets his job done.

“His attitude is first-rate, whatever I ask him to do, he will do it to help the team win. He is a great example for our younger players, but he is also an integral part of our team going forward.”