No fanfare but Arthur's decision to stay is still 'massive' says Handley

It was the news they were all waiting for, but there was no fanfare when Brad Arthur told his players he is staying on as Leeds Rhinos coach next year.

- by Peter Smith

Arthur kept his promise to give the club a decision on Monday after being offered a contract for 2026 and broke the news to his squad at their Kirkstall training base. But co-captain Ash Handley revealed there was no big announcement.

He said. "He wanted to do it as discreetly as possible and just stuck his head round the kitchen, said 'I'm staying' and walked away. He didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but everyone's really happy.

"What we have done this year with him has been a pretty big turnaround and I think we need him moving forward, just to keep implementing the changes he has made. There's a good feel around the place."