 Mathers was an ever-present for Leeds this season |
Leeds and England full-back Richard Mathers has been ruled out for the rest of the season after being told he needs a knee reconstruction. Mathers suffered major ligament damage in last Friday's 44-28 defeat by Hull.
"It is a cruel blow for Richard and we all really feel for him," said Rhinos coach Tony Smith.
Leeds-born Mathers, 22, is out of contract at the end of the season and has been offered the chance to join new Australian club Gold Coast.
Smith added: "It is a big blow for the team to lose any player for the rest of the season but especially someone like Richard.
"He has been in great form recently not just on attack but also defence, which he has done a lot of work on."
Mathers broke into the first team at the start of the 2004 Championship-winning season, taking over from Great Britain star Gary Connolly.
Since then, the Leeds-born player has only missed two out of 80 matches for the Rhinos and was an ever-present this season.
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