Whitehead to return to the Dragons in 2025

Current Canberra captain Elliot Whitehead will be returning to the South of Frannce with the Catalans Dragons in 2025. The 34-year-old former England international previously played for the Dragons between 2013 and 2015, making 68 appearances and scoring 32 tries. He has been in the NRL with the Canberra Raiders since 2016.

Dragons head coach, Steve McNamara had this to say on his new aquisition: “Elliott is a great signing for the Dragons. His quality, experience and leadership will be a huge asset for us. His rugby league instincts and intuition are something you cannot coach. We look forward to his arrival in 2025.”

Hull FC continue raid of the Leopards

Following the announcement earlier this season of the signing of John Asiata from the Leigh Leopards, the Black and Whites have secured the signings of three more players from the Greater Manchester club.

First came the confirmation of the long-rumoured move of Zak Hardaker to the East Yorkshire club. The 32-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Black and Whites, and will hope to bring his prolific try-scoring with him, having scored a combined 114 tries in spells with Featherstone, Castleford, Leeds, Wigan and Leigh.

The following day, the club announced the signings of both Ed Chamberlain and Oliver Holmes from Leigh. 28-year-old Ireland international Chamberlain returns to the club where he spent a two-week loan spell earlier this season on a three-year deal from 2025, and Holmes, 31, will join on a two-year deal.

Brad Arthur to coach Rhinos for the rest of the season

It’s not just players who are on the move in the world of rugby league, as Leeds Rhinos announced on Wednesday that former Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur will take charge of the club until the send of the 2024 season. Scott Grix and Chev Walker will remain at the club in their capacity of assistant coaches.

The 50-year-old Arthur spent ten years as head coach of Parramatta Eels, leading them to the 2022 NRL Grand Final, before being sacked this past May following a poor run of form. He had this to say to the club’s website upon his appointment: “I am pleased to be joining the Rhinos and can’t wait to get started. For me personally, this is a unique opportunity to grow as a coach. I join the club aiming to help raise standards and expectations without disrupting the cohesion that is within the group already.”

Written by Nathan Major-Kershaw (Site editor & Hull KR)

Quote sources: http://www.catalansdragons.com/en/articles-45/286-11880-welcome-back-elliott-whitehead/ & https://www.therhinos.co.uk/article/20599/rhinos-appoint-brad-arthur-as-head-coach-for-2024