Tough tackling is keeping Rhinos on course for a defensive record

Leeds Rhinos are on the verge of completing their best defensive season since Super League began.

- by Peter Smith

With 25 of the 27 Betfred Super League rounds played prior to last night's game against Catalans Dragons, Rhinos have conceded only 272 points at an average of 10.88 per game.

Incredibly, that is almost five points per match better than their previous record and the three clean sheets so far equals their most in a Super League campaign.

Rhinos' meanest Super League defence was their 2008 Grand Final-winning side, which leaked 413 points in 27 regular-season games at an average of 15.30.

That record will be smashed this year if Leeds can avoid conceding 141 points to Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors in their remaining fixtures.

The only other seasons when Rhinos conceded an average of fewer than 16 points per match were 2004 (15.82) and 2014 (15.59).

Rhinos have nilled the opposition in their past two games, at Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants, and also kept Salford Red Devils scoreless earlier in the season.