Nicholson-Watton has joined the Betfred Championship outfit on loan until the end of this season, but Leeds have the option to recall him if required. He is under contract beyond this year and is regarded by Rhinos’ management as a Super League player of the future. The 21-year-old prop made his debut, at loose-forward, when York lost 36-20 away to Doncaster in their opening league fixture last Sunday.
“I am definitely not over-training, I check with the coaches and performance staff on a morning, see if there’s anything else I need to do, then go and training with York in the evening. Leeds is my parent club and I am just focussing on improving my rugby, playing good rugby and I’ll see where I go from that.” Nicholson-Watton played in Rhinos’ pre-season games against Wakefield Trinity, Bradford Bulls and Hull KR, having made his Super League debut as a substitute in the final match of 2023.