From treble winners to bottom of the Super League table: Leeds Rhinos do a Leicester City in reverse

IT IS one of the biggest sporting collapses in recent history.

Last year, Leeds were rugby league’s kings lifting a treble of League Leaders’ Shield, Challenge Cup and the Grand Final.

This year, the Rhinos are bottom with three wins. And their last three results have seen an aggregate loss of 38-144.

Leeds face a seven-game stretch in the Qualifiers, where Super League’s bottom four face the Championship’s top four, to avoid relegation.

The retirement of skipper Kevin Sinfield and front row icons Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai, as well as a raft of injuries which forced a reliance of youngsters, has not helped.

Down the M1, film directors are bidding to make a movie of the Leicester Prem miracle.

In Leeds, this year is turning into a horror story. SunSport asks what has gone wrong?

PLAYERS

THE TRIO of retirements last season was always going to leave a huge gap — at present it looks like a black hole.

Injuries to key players have also played a pivotal part but several established stars have under-performed. A trio of new arrivals — Brett Ferres, Beau Falloon and Keith Galloway — are yet to live up to their billing.

COACH

FORMER Royal Marine Brian McDermott has never been one to duck a challenge. But is starting to look sick of it.

After the 52-18 loss at Warrington in which Leeds leaked 34 points in 40 second-half minutes, he said: “We lost our defensive integrity.” As damning an assessment as you will get.

CASH IMPACT

THE players will be hit in the pocket, as apparently Leeds split end-of-season prize money.

There has been little impact off the field after season tickets were sold at the height of their powers — they will also be valid for home games in the Qualifiers.

They may get a short-term boost if they host a derby with Bradford but a similar level of sales for next year look unlikely.

FANS

LISTEN to some and the world is ending and it is all coach McDermott’s fault.

Social media lights up after every Leeds loss and there have been grumbles on the terraces.

However, the short-term pain of being on the other side from the glory days could lead to long-term gain.

FUTURE

THE easy way of saying it is, ‘Well, it can’t get any worse’.

But it could — relegation is an option. Finish in the bottom two after 23 games and Leeds only have three home fixtures in the Qualifiers. And every week, especially against Championship sides, they will be targeted.

The youngsters will learn to roll with the blows both physically and mentally. But, expect more of the ‘golden generation’ to retire in the coming seasons.