TOM Holroyd’s overlooked role off the interchange bench has been praised as Leeds Rhinos aim to strengthen their top-three credentials on Friday night.
All but one of the 24-year-old prop’s 14 appearances in all competitions for the Rhinos so far in 2025 have come as an interchange player, yet he is regularly racking up the most playing minutes of any of the team’s middle forwards.
Holroyd has carried for 910 metres with an average gain of 7.82 metres per carry in 13 Betfred Super League games so far in 2025, along with busting 18 tackles and making two clean breaks plus contributing 286 tackles in defence, and Rhinos assistant coach Jamie Langley hailed his unheralded impact.
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“He’s a bit like an unsung hero for us, Tom,” Langley told the Leeds Rhinos Podcast.
“Every week he comes off the bench and probably plays the most minutes out of our middles, although he’s coming off the interchange.
“We leave him out there because his fitness levels are off the charts and we know he can do it time and time and time again.
“He’s been incredible every week, and he’s just been working on some finer details around shape and getting himself in the right positions, certain from an attacking perspective, and we’re seeing improvement in that every week.”
Holroyd’s second try of the season in last Saturday’s 36-12 win at home to Warrington Wolves helped set Leeds on their way to a victory which strengthened their grip on third place in the table.
Brad Arthur’s side now travel to St Helens on Friday night, with the 10-time Super League champions fifth in the table and four points behind the Rhinos.
Saints head coach Paul Wellens has come in for criticism over some of his side’s performances this year, particularly against the competition’s leading teams.
However, Langley admitted his surprise at the vitriol Wellens has faced at times, particularly after two close-fought matches against St Helens already this year in 22-14 Betfred Challenge Cup fourth-round defeat and a 17-4 win at Magic Weekend.
“They’re a quality side, they’re battling away there in the top six, and they’ve had quite a few injuries to key personnel,” Langley said.
“Injuries a massive in this game and they have a few, and I don’t understand any of this talk about pressure.
“I think it’s just because the expectation levels at Saints are so high and they’ve won so much silverware they expect to be there and thereabouts every year.
“That’s fine if they are your expectations, but you’ve got to be realistic and look at it objectively, and I still feel like they’re doing a good job.”
