A-Z of Leeds Rhinos - 'J' is for...Just the once

Dean Bells scores for Leeds in hins one-off comeback game against Paris 24 years ago. Picture by Steve Riding.

Eighteen players have made a single appearance for Leeds in Super League, 12 of those as a substitute.

In 1996 coach Dean Bell - who had played for Leeds 12 years earlier - came out of retirement for one afternoon only when the Loiners played host to Paris St Germain in a relegation scrap.

Fellow Kiwi Nathan Picchi suffered a dislocated shoulder on his debut the same season and was released at the end of that campaign.

Injury also restricted Aussie Paul Bell to just one Super League game, in 2000, though he also played in three Challenge Cup ties.

Joe Chandler made his only apperance for Rhinos when a depleted side beat Castleford in 2008. Picture by Steve Riding.

Michael Haley and Joe Chandler both made their lone appearance off the bench in a famous win over Castleford Tigers in 2008, when Rhinos were without 14 first-choice players including all their England men on Test duty.

Leeds’ other one-hit wonders are Phil Cantillon, Chris Chapman, Michael Coady, George Elliot, Jon Hepworth, Corey Johnson, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Jim Leatham, Jon Liddell, Dane Manning, Scott Murrell, Ben White and Harvey Whiteley.

‘J’ is also for...Jeopardy. Leeds were involved in Super League relegation battles in 1996, 2016, 2018 and 2019, managing to escape the drop on each occasion.

The closest they have come to relegation from the top flight was in 1986-87 when four clubs dropped out of the 16-team Championship. Leeds finished one place outside the relegation zone, sending Oldham down on points difference.