Youngsters commit to relegated Leeds

Leeds Carnegie have announced that four of the club’s brightest young prospects have committed to new contracts with the club.

England U21 international back row Calum Clark has agreed new terms having proved himself in the Guinness Premiership this season after making 15 appearances in the top flight despite still only being 18. His new contract will keep him at Headingley Carnegie until at least the end of the 2009-2010 season.

Three other players who were due to be out of contract at the end of the season have agreed new two year deals. Centre Luther Burrell (20), back row Danny Paul (21) and hooker Phil Nilsen (23) all made their debuts in the Guinness Premiership this season.

“To be honest, I am over the moon to have agreed a new two year deal, I’m ecstatic! I have got another two years when I can hopefully take the club forward and get us back into the Guinness Premiership. I got my shot this year because of injuries and my own form and hopefully next year I can make sure that I am playing week in, week out to build on my development this year.

“Jon Dunbar has been great for me this year. I had played in the back row in the A team before this year but playing in the Guinness Premiership is completely different. Jon has been like a personal coach for me and what I have achieved this year is thanks to the people who have been around me and I know I still have a long way to go.

“This time last year after the shoulder operation I was a bit down in the dumps but hopefully I can go from strength to strength now and being offered a new two year contract gives me confidence that the people in charge have faith in my ability,” added Paul.