Leeds Rhinos 42 Bradford Bulls 12

Leeds Rhinos completed a clean sweep of Bradford Bulls in 2026 as two tries from milestone man James McDonnell led Brad Arthur’s side to a 42-12 victory over their derby rivals for a third time this year.

With derby wins at Bartercard Odsal and Magic Weekend already secured, the Rhinos had to overcome a resolute Bradford side as additional tries from Brodie Croft, Kallum Watkins, Tom Holroyd, Jarrod O’Connor and Cooper Jenkins got Leeds back to winning ways in the Betfred Super League.

A changed Rhinos lineup saw Brad Arthur rotate Ben Littlewood into the matchday squad for his first Super League start with Leeds, as the young back rower was one of three changes from the side that lost out to Castleford Tigers in round 19. In addition to the absences of Ryan Hall, Ash Handley and Keenan Palasia due to injury, Danny Levi and Chris Hankinson were both sidelined as they continued their return-to-play protocol. Littlewood replaced Hankinson in the second row, whilst Jarrod O’Connor was a welcome return from his own concussion layoff as he moved into the starting hooker spot. Leeds’ final change came in the pack as Kallum Watkins rotated into the loose forward position, forcing Cameron Smith to the bench.

Although he wouldn’t take to the field, Academy talent Zak Lloyd earned the opportunity to experience a first-team game after being named 18^th Man by head coach Arthur. James McDonnell also ran out for his 100^th game in Leeds colours.

Coming into the match depleted by injuries, Bradford started the game the better of the two sides and were quickly rewarded with a shock try after nine minutes. With 15 names on the sidelines watching on, head coach Kurt Haggerty’s final 18 fit players battled hard in the opening exchanges and put the Rhinos on the back foot. Solid defence on Jack Bird saw the Leeds centre forced back in his own in-goal area, and after Lachie Miller’s poor drop-out went straight out of play, Bradford worked a good set closer to the Rhinos’ try line to set up half-back Chris Atkin, whose slight grubber kick missed both Alfie Edgell and Harry Newman to eventually be grounded by Guy Armitage.

A tough afternoon started to get to the Rhinos fans as a half break by Ethan Ryan threatened to expose Edgell, but a lucky knock on by Ryan Sutton brought the attack to an end. The afternoon also took its toll injury-wise too as Maika Sivo exited the field after a huge hit on Connor Wynne. The Fijian didn’t return for the remainder of the game.

In desperate need of a try to swing momentum in their favour, Leeds got lucky as century-man James McDonnell managed to pull the score level. A charge down by Harry Newman initially gifted Bradford possession to attack from deep, but as a quick move wide saw the ball go to ground, McDonnell was there to pick it up. With 60 metres to go, the back rower motored away from the retreating Bulls defenders to score a superb try to break Leeds’ duck on the scoreboard.

The Rhinos started to sense a change in the game and should have grabbed a second score straight after McDonnell’s effort. Finding themselves back on the Bulls’ try line, Connor tried a desperate drive for the line himself to promote the ball over, but video referee Chris Kendall overturned the score for a double movement. Nevertheless, the home side’s next attack set brought more points as off the back of a good break by O’Connor, a switch to the right edge put McDonnell in for a second score to give Leeds their first lead of the game.

Having helped create the second score, there was enough time for O’Connor to sneak over for a try to give the Rhinos a good amount of breathing room on the scoreboard. With half-time in sight, Leeds were finding their rhythm moving the ball across the line as Tom Holroyd almost forced his way through. With Connor switching the play back against the grain, hooker O’Connor was there to collect the ball and score under the posts untouched to send his side into the break 18-6 up.

Much like in the first half, Leeds struggled in the opening stages of the second half too as Bradford found an early score once again. Riley Dean was calling the plays with Jayden Nikorima unavailable for the second half, and the substitute half-back came up with a threatening bomb that was collected in the air by Ryan. Quickly passing the ball to Atkin in support, the Bradford man returned the favour with a sharp pass as winger Ryan forced his way over to keep his scoring tally in 2026 ticking over.

Leeds needed to brush off the try or be in danger of being drawn into a tussle with their derby rivals, and a clinical 40/20 from Connor changed the dynamic of the contest as Leeds scored 24 unanswered points. Flexing their full attack, the Rhinos once again made the field position count as Holroyd powered his way over for his second try in as many weeks, before the boot of Connor provided another score. The half-back’s high bomb caught out Bradford winger Connor Wyne, and Brodie Croft was waiting patiently to snatch the ball and add to his growing tally of tries in 2026. Connor’s conversion made the score 30-12 with 20 minutes to go.

The Bulls threw everything to stop Leeds’ score growing, but even when Haggerty’s side stopped potential try opportunities, the Rhinos still found a way over. Ryan did well to cut out Croft’s wide pass, but the winger’s knock-on led to Cooper Jenkins romping his way through the Bulls defence for his eighth try of the year. The visitors responded when try-scorer Armitage cleanly intercepted a pass to begin a Bulls counter-attack, but the play broke down when Ryan knocked on to gift Leeds possession back.

With the clock against Bradford, Leeds knew one more score would finish the contest, and a much-deserved try scorer in Kallum Watkins was the player to do it. Chances had been put down by the Rhinos, who had begun to express themselves with the scoreline heavily in their favour. Chances for Croft, Presley Cassell and Newman all passed Leeds by, but a simple flat pass from Connor unlocked the Bulls as skipper Watkins crashed his way over to make the final score 42-12 with Connor’s conversion.

Teams

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 2. Maika Sivo, 33. Jack Bird, 3. Harry Newman, 21. Alfie Edgell, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Jake Connor, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Cooper Jenkins, 25. Ben Littlewood, 12. James McDonnell, 11. Kallum Watkins

Subs: 10. Tom Holroyd, 17. Cameron Smith, 20. Presley Cassell, 26. Tom Nicholson-Watton (18^th Man – 30. Zak Lloyd)

Tries: McDonnell (24, 31), O’Connor (38), Holroyd (50), Croft (53), Jenkins (61), Watkins (75)

Goals: Connor 7/7

Bulls

1. Caleb Aekins, 23. Connor Wynne, 24. Guy Armitage, 22. Luke Hooley, 5. Ethan Ryan, 6. Jayden Nikorima, 32. Chris Atkin, 8. Ryan Sutton, 9. Andy Ackers, 33. Jack Ormondroyd, 34. Phoenix Steinwede, 12. Zac Fulton, 13. Joe Mellor

Subs: 16. Ebon Scurr, 19. Will Gardiner, 25. Eliot Peposhi, 38. Riley Dean (18^th Man – 27. Alfie Leake)

Tries: Armitage (9), Ryan (46)

Goals: Atkin 1/1, Hooley 1/1