Leeds Rhinos star James Bentley is aiming to continue his impressive club form in a “mad, rollercoaster year” when he takes the field for Ireland in the Rugby League World Cup. Bentley endured a nightmare start to his Headingley career after being sent off on his debut in the televised season-opener at home to Warrington Wolves in February.
He was banned three times in his first eight games for Leeds and ended up being suspended for nine of the club's first 17 games this season. As the year unfolded, though, the close-season signing from St Helens more than proved his worth, emerging as a key figure for Rohan Smith’s side in the back row as they reached the Grand Final, where they lost to all-conquering St Helens.
Bentley told Leeds Live: “Obviously it was bitterly disappointing not to get the win at Old Trafford but it was a mad, rollercoaster year. If you had said at the start of the year that we would end up in the Grand Final then overall I’d be pretty happy with that.
