Rhinos to return to USA

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed that they wil be returning to Florida during their preseason preparations for the 2016 campaign.

The Rhinos will be based in Jacksonville again for the trip, and will once more play a game against a USA domestic national team.

This is the fifth time that the Rhinos will have visited Jacksonville since 2001 as part of their preseason. They will once again be using the facilities at the University of North Florida whilst they are there.

“We are delighted to confirm our training camp for 2016,” said Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington.

“We have always received a very warm welcome in Jacksonville and have many friends in the city who we are looking forward to meeting up with again.

“The University of North Florida is an excellent facility and there will be a familiarity with the campus for our players so we can get maximum benefit from our time away whilst we are there.

I know our players were very impressed with the passion and commitment to the sport of Rugby League in Jacksonville and the city has very much become our home away from home.”

Spinner Howland, who is board member of USARL and founder of the Jacksonville Axemen, is looking forward to welcoming the Super League side to the USA again.

“Having Leeds Rhinos return to City of Jacksonville for training camp and a game is very exciting,” he said.

“Earlier this year, the Rhinos made a tremendous commitment to the sport of Rugby League in the USA when they invited two players from our USA Pioneers squad to train with them during their camp.

“Those bonds have been strengthened since with the appointment of Brian McDermott to lead the USA squad and I am sure that 2016 will be the best camp yet as we build on the work that has been done previously.”