Two more Leeds Rhinos youngsters have signed a contract extension, including a prolific try scorer who switched codes from rugby union.
The new terms will keep centres Oscar Brown and Jacob Hardy – who train with the full-time squad, but have yet to make their senior debut – at Rhinos until the end of 2029.
They follow in the footsteps of fellow rookies Ben Littlewood, Oliver Smart and Joe Diskin whose latest deals were announced this week.
Brown was spotted by Rhinos’ scouts while playing for Harrogate Rugby Union Club and joined Leeds’ academy two years ago.
Despite a hamstring injury, he has scored 11 tries in half a dozen games for the reserves this season, six of them during a win over Bradford Bulls in April.
“I am delighted to have signed a contract extension,” Brown said. “There has been a lot of hard work, not only from myself, but also from the coaches and other people around me helping out.
“I had the chance to play for the first team in pre-season and that was a great experience. I am enjoying learning all the time and working with [transition-coach] Chev Walker.
“Obviously, in my position Chev achieved everything possible during his playing career and it is great to have him as a mentor.”
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Former Kippax junior Hardy has touched down three times in five appearances for Rhinos’ academy this season, with another six in nine matches with the reserves.
He stressed: “I feel like we have got something special with the group of players we have got coming through together and it will be great to be able to support each other over the next few years.
“The opportunity to train in the first team environment is really important for me and it can’t help but make you a better player working with the senior players every day.
“I am looking forward to continuing to work hard now my future is sorted.”
Sporting director Ian Blease stressed Rhinos’ commitment to developing players in their youth system.
He said: “Leeds Rhinos has always been a club that has prided itself in not only bringing through the best young talent, but – as importantly – giving that talent the chance to break through into the first team.
“Young players can see the opportunities the likes of Alfie Edgell, Ben Littlewood, Tom Nicholson-Watton and Presley Cassell, just from last Sunday’s team, have had and can see the faith and trust we put in our pathways.
“Brad Arthur [Rhinos’ coach] has backed those pathways and that speaks volumes. I think Chev Walker has done an outstanding job as our transition-coach to make sure those lads are ready for the step up from academy and reserves to the first team environment.
“There is still a lot of hard work to do and the players need to grasp the opportunities available to them, but it is certainly a great sign of our strength that Jacob and Oscar have committed their futures to the club.”
