Jones-Bishop: Good to be back

It’s been a tough 18 months for Leeds Rhinos player Ben Jones-Bishop, but following his performance against Widnes in the Super League a fortnight ago, the future is looking brighter than ever.

Jones-Bishop sent a timely reminder of his abilities to Leeds boss Brian McDermott, scoring two tries on his return to the side.

The halfback who is equally adept at playing on the wing admitted his frustration at the lack of game time so far this season, but that it was good to be back.

‘It was good to be back out on the field and contributing to a good win. It had been a frustrating first 4 weeks not being involved so to be out there and have a good game felt great.’

Having not figured at all for Leeds during the first few weeks of the new season, questions were being asked about the player’s future, with the possibility of a loan move being rumoured.

‘A loan move was a possibility as after 4 weeks of the season, I hadn't had any game time but I wasn't happy to go anywhere until I had been given an opportunity to try and win my shirt back and stay in the team, which I feel I have the ability to do.’

It’s an opportunity the Leeds born player has taken, and despite rumours of a move elsewhere and the signing of winger Tom Briscoe from Hull, Jones-Bishop is not on his way out of Headingley.

The 25 year old spent much of last season on the sidelines recovering from a blood clot on his lung but came back to feature for the Rhinos towards the end of the campaign.

‘Knowing what I went through last preseason, this preseason has been tough, but much easier now my cardiovascular system is in full working order.’

He believes the lengthy lay off gave him food for thought about the longevity of a professional rugby league player’s career.

‘Having been through it and been unable to play and even do certain physical aspects of training for such a prolonged amount of time, it's probably made me change my outlook on my playing career as at any time it could be taken away from you.’

The halfback come winger’s exploits against Widnes kept him in the side for last Friday’s fixture at London Broncos, where he again scored a tandem of tries.

‘I'm very focused on being the best I can be at every aspect of my game at the minute.’

It’s evident in the first few weeks of the season that ‘being the best’ is a philosophy being embraced by the whole squad at Leeds after a barren 2013.

The Rhino’s look firmly in the hunt for silverware in 2014, sitting a well placed 2nd in the First Utility Super League, possessing a strong squad, few look capable of stopping them.

‘We have started very well and I think that is down to the strong squad and pushing each other to try and get a starting shirt. We want to be at the top of the league and end up at Old Trafford but we know each weekly performance is important to be able to do that, and of course lift the Challenge Cup.’

Leeds boast the best defensive record in Super League after six games, conceding only 52 points in total.

A record they take into Friday’s top of the table clash at league leaders St Helens.

But with less than 12 months of his contract remaining, his future at Leeds may not stretch beyond the end of the season; the 25 year old is not worried.

‘I’m not looking too far into the future. I want to be playing week in week out and am focusing on trying to do that and put in good performances.’

With the prospect of what promises to be a mouth-watering tie against Saints on the 28th of March, Jones-Bishop will continue to focus on working hard to be a part of the Rhinos latest charge to challenge at the summit of Super League.