Young stars sign new three year deals with Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos development pathway has been given a major boost with the news that young centres Oscar Brown and Jacob Hardy have both signed long term contracts with the club.

Brown, who only joined the Rhinos in 2024 having switched codes from Rugby Union, has impressed with his rate of development in the 13-man-code and has agreed a new three year deal to keep him at AMT Headingley until at least the end of the 2029 Super League season. 

An exciting young centre, he has gained valuable experience in the reserves competitions this season. Brown has scored an impressive eleven tries in six games for the Reserves this season including an incredible six tries in the win over Bradford at Bartercard Odsal back in April.

The new deal is recognition of the hard work Brown has put into adapting to Rugby League and developing his game within the Rhinos pathway.

“I am delighted to have signed a contract extension. There’s been a lot of hard work, not only from myself but 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 Chev Walker. Obviously, in my position, Chev achieved everything possible during his playing career and it is great to have him as a mentor,” commented Brown. 

Brown’s progression follows the successful development of other players who have made the transition from Rugby Union to League, including Ben Littlewood and Ned McCormack. 

Former Kippax Junior Hardy has scored three tries in five appearances for the Rhinos Academy side this season, with a further six tries in nine appearances for the Reserves. Like Brown, he has signed a three year extension. 

Hardy commented, “I am really pleased to have signed a new contract here at the Rhinos. I feel like we have got something special with the group of players that 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 and I am looking forward to continuing to work hard now that my future is sorted.”

Brown and Hardy are the latest young Rhinos player to commit his future to the club, with Leeds continuing to invest in its homegrown talent and the pathway from the Academy and reserves into the first team. Earlier this season, young half back George Brown agreed a new three year deal whilst this week forwards Ben Littlewood, Joe Diskin and Oliver Smart have all put pen to paper on contract extensions. 

Sporting Director Ian Blease added, “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 that 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 that we put in our pathways. Brad Arthur 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 that we will be available to them but it is certainly a great sign of our strength that Jacob and Oscar have committed their futures to the club,” added Blease.