Previously employed more as a winger, versatile Smith produced a man-of-the-match display at full-back as Leeds won the Grand Final last month and will now wear the three shirt next year.

New Zealand international new signing Greg Eastwood will wear 15 while fellow new recruit Danny Buderus has been given the number nine shirt, Matt Diskin reverting to 14.

Youngster Ryan Hall is rewarded for his try scoring performance in the Grand Final with the number five shirt while Ali Lauitiiti moves up from 14 to the number 12 shirt vacated by Gareth Ellis.

Ian Kirke and Carl Ablett have both been elevated up the squad list after impressive seasons while Luke Burgess comes into the top 20 for the first time to wear the number 19 shirt.

Leeds have also left the number 25 shirt vacant for an additional player to be added during the close season. In total, 11 of the top 20 players have come through the club's Academy system with five more players from the club's youth development programme making up the first-team squad for 2009.

Coach Brian McClennan will welcome back his first group of players as pre-season training begins next Monday and the Leeds coach is already relishing 2009 – a year that will see Leeds bid to become the first team to retain the Carnegie World Club Challenge against Manly at Elland Road on March 1.

"I am delighted to promote five of our young stars up the squad number order after they matured and developed throughout last season," said McClennan.

"Lee Smith has been awarded the number three shirt and we hope that he will see more game time at centre this season.

"Lee showed his versatility in the Grand Final and we feel his natural abilities will be well suited to centre.

"I am sure he will do a fantastic job."

The Rhinos will reveal their new-look 2009 home kit on Thursday exclusively in the Yorkshire Evening Post with the shirt going on sale at 8am this Saturday at the club shop at Headingley Carnegie.

McClennan will be joining fans in the Carnegie Cafe Bar from 8.30am to watch the World Cup semi-final between England and his native New Zealand.

Entrance is free and breakfast, tea and coffee will be available while the ticket office and shop will be open throughout the day for fans to purchase season tickets.

Fans have until Monday, December 8 to purchase their season ticket and take advantage of the early bird discount price which could save an adult up to £84.

Rhinos squad 2009: 1 Brent Webb, 2 Scott Donald, 3 Lee Smith, 4 Keith Senior, 5 Ryan Hall, 6 Danny McGuire, 7 Rob Burrow, 8 Kylie Leuluai, 9 Danny Buderus,10 Jamie Peacock, 11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan, 12 Ali Lauitiiti, 13 Kevin Sinfield (c), 14 Matt Diskin, 15 Greg Eastwood, 16 Ryan Bailey, 17 Ian Kirke, 18 Carl Ablett, 19 Luke Burgess, 20 Ashley Gibson, 21 Simon Worrall, 22 Danny Allan, 23 Kallum Watkins, 24 Ben Jones-Bishop, 25 TBA, 26 Paul McShane.