UPDATED: Boxer Josh to help celebrate Leeds Rhinos stars

The Commonwealth and WBC International Featherweight champion will be part of the Heroes show to celebrate the careers of Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield and Kylie Leuluai on Sunday.

A special event will be held at the first direct arena on Sunday to also mark the season that has seen the team retain the Challenge Cup and lift the League Leaders Shield.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan, who will miss the Grand Final through injury. said: “This is an incredible opportunity for the Rhinos to appear at the first direct arena and we want to put on a show that everyone enjoys.

“Josh is a massive Rhinos fan and Jamie Peacock and I had the honour of carrying his belts into the ring at his last fight.

“Anyone who has seen what we get up to on Rugby AM will know we have got some wild planned in terms of a challenge for the audience but don’t worry Josh will be leaving his gloves at home!

“I can’t wait for Sunday, I’m gutted to be missing out on playing in the Grand Final but this is the next best thing and I can’t wait to see all the fans down at the arena.”

Tickets for the event, which has been organised in partnership with Leeds City Council, the arena and the Rhinos, cost £5 each.

Tickets are exclusively available to Rhinos members via a unique link that will be emailed to them direct.

Tickets will then go on general sale after 10am on Friday and must be purchased from the arena’s website.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “It has been another amazing season for the Leeds Rhinos, and Sunday’s event at the first direct arena is an opportunity for supporters to congratulate the team on their efforts, and also say a big thank you to legends Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai who are leaving the club.

“We are extremely proud as a city of the Rhinos, whose commitment, dedication and achievements on the field, coupled with the work they do in our communities is simply fantastic, and they are undoubtedly fully deserving of an event such as this.

“We wish the team the very best against Wigan in the Grand Final on Saturday.”

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington added: “We are grateful for the offer from Leeds City Council and the first direct arena to create an event that allows the whole city to show their appreciation for our three retiring stars and the teams efforts this season.

“Having won the Challenge Cup and finished top of the table in such dramatic fashion a fortnight ago is something that has really captured the public’s imagination around Leeds.

“The team has a big challenge at a sold out Old Trafford against Wigan to try and add the Super League title to the list of honours, however, regardless of the result on Saturday night, it is right and proper that we should celebrate the achievement of this group of players.”

The doors for the arena will open on Sunday at 1.30pm. The event will begin at 3pm and finish at approximately 5pm.

The event will be held as a stage show with questions and answers with the players, video footage and entertainment.