Leeds duo sign new deals

Young Leeds pair Liam Sutcliffe and Thomas Minns have signed long-term deals at the club.

Sutcliffe, 18, will start for the fourth consecutive game tonight at stand off against Warrington and he has agreed a new four year contract.

Minns, also 18, scored on his debut against Castleford last month and he has penned a three year contract to stay at Headingley.

Commenting on the new contracts Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott said, “We are delighted to have committed long term contracts with both these young men. As a club we have always prided ourselves on rewarding young talent from our academy and we have seen the benefits of that over the last decade.

“Obviously now there is more competition than ever for young talent from home and abroad but these players have made a commitment to each other and the club having grown up in our culture.”

Both are England Academy internationals and have come through the Rhinos Academy system. Sutcliffe, a former Hunslet Warriors amateur, has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in Super League having made seven appearances already this season, scoring five tries.

Centre Minns, who joined the Rhinos from Whinmoor Warriors, has been an outstanding player in the club’s Under 19 side this season having scored 14 tries in 16 appearances so far.