14 June 2023 , 09:11
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England winger Ash Handley has vowed to help Leeds Rhinos get back to their former glories after signing a new three-year contract with the club.
The deal will see the 27-year-old - who has spent all his career at Headingley - stay until at least the end of the 2026 Betfred Super League season. Handley, who scored a hat-trick on his England debut against France in April, has amassed 107 tries in 183 appearances for his hometown club. He scored twice in Rhinos’ 2020 Challenge Cup final win over Salford and is rated one of the finest finishers in the sport.
Eight-times Super League champions Leeds haven’t lifted the title since 2017 and are currently on a four-match losing run, slumping to eighth.
On pledging his long-term future to Rhinos, Handley admitted: “It was a big decision for me, especially with a young family to think about now. It was important to take my time to make the right decision and I am delighted to be staying. I have been here all my career and I love this club. I want to be part of it and I want to help the club get back up to where we want to be.
“I am learning all the time and that has helped me mature as a player. The club is one the best in England for how they treat people, players and everyone connected to the club which makes it a real honour to be here for another three years. There is a good core group of players here who all care about getting the club back where it wants to be and I am delighted to still be a part of that."
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Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith said: “I am delighted that Ash has committed to a new contract with the club. He had one year remaining on his current deal so it is good to have got his future sorted before he enters the final year of his contract.
"Ash is one of our leaders in the group and a vastly experienced player in Super League. He loves the club and is a great role model for our young players. He received a well-deserved call up to the England squad this year and I am looking forward to even more from Ash in the years ahead.”