Paul Rowley's Leeds Rhinos link addressed by Ian Blease amid Rohan Smith heat

Paul Rowley is a name that has been on the lips of Leeds Rhinos supporters for some time now, with the Salford Red Devils head coach regularly linked with a move to Headingley.

That has increased in recent weeks as the Rhinos' on-field results have increased pressure on the man currently in the Headingley hot seat, Rohan Smith.

Naturally, the appointment of former Salford Red Devils administrator Ian Blease as Leeds' new Sporting Director will only further increase that speculation. However, Blease was keen to cool those suggestions as he began life at the club, insisting that he would not rush into any decisions.

“That’s for you guys to put speculate about,” Blease said when asked about Rowley. “I obviously had a great relationship with Paul, he's a great coach and so was Ian Watson before him and Richard Marshall.

“I’ve had great relationships with people I’ve worked with and I’ll always keep them healthy. But this is about getting my feet under the table of this club.”

Rowley has done an excellent job with the Reds and despite having the challenge of seeing star players sold, he stayed loyal to the club earlier this year when Hull FC came calling, turning down an approach to remain at Salford.

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