NEWS | Reece Lyne named Dons captain for 2025

We are delighted to confirm that Reece Lyne has been named Dons captain ahead of the 2025 Betfred Championship season.

The 32-year-old was selected by head coach Richard Horne to take on the role, starting with the opening game of the campaign against Featherstone Rovers on February 16.

Experienced centre Lyne joined the club last summer and scored eight tries in 21 appearances as the Dons made an impressive return to rugby league’s second tier.

And he is targeting even better for the club this term after taking up the role.

“It’s a real honour to be named captain,” Lyne said. “When Rich spoke to me, it caught me by surprise. It wasn’t something that was on my radar.

“It’s something that I’ll be really honoured to do. We’ve got a great group of lads here and it’s a really good club so to lead the boys out is something I’m really grateful to be asked to do.

“I’d like to think that whether I’m captain or not that I’d set some good standards and lead in a positive way. I’ve been through a fair bit in my career and I can pass that experience on to the lads.

“This year I think we’ve taken a few steps forward and lifted standards so hopefully we can make the most of that and get the most out of this season.”

This will mark the first time that Lyne has been named captain in a career which has included more than 220 matches at Super League level.

Stepping aside from the captain’s role is Sam Smeaton, who will continue to provide and support and leadership alongside Lyne.

Head coach Horne said: “I feel we needed a bit of a change up, a changing of the guard as we try to take the club forward to where we want to go.

“Reece is one of the senior figures in the group, a top professional who has great experience at the top level. He is really composed and level headed in pressure situations and I think that will make a difference when games become nip and tuck. In those situations we didn’t come out on top enough last year and we need to make sure we do if we are going to kick on.

“Sammy will still be big for us. He’ll be working closely with Reece and continue to set the standards among the players. I wanted him to focus on playing but I know he’ll also continue to be a vocal member of the group and play a big role.

“I’m confident the captaincy will bring even more out of Reece, which will help bring even more out of us as a team.”

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