Leeds sign promising young duo

Leeds Rhinos have announced that young stars Danny Williams and Ashley Gibson, both 19, have signed new three-year contracts with the club and will be part of the Rhinos full-time squad for the 2006 engage Super League season.

Gibson signed for the Rhinos from Stanningley ARLFC in 2003 and made his Super League debut last season, scoring a hat-trick in the win at Leigh.

Winger Williams joined the Rhinos from Whinmoor Warriors ARLFC, trained with the first team squad during last season and, like Gibson, toured New Zealand and Australia with the England Academy team two years ago.

Both players will feature for the Rhinos in the Tetley's Festive Challenge against Wakefield on Boxing Day at Headingley, kick off 11.30am.

Commenting on the announcement Chief Executive, Gary Hetherington, said: "We have a policy of promoting players to the first team squad each season and Ashley and Danny are outstanding candidates to join the full-time squad

?Both players impressed Tony Smith last season when they trained with the first team squad and this will allow them to continue their development. The fact that 70% of our first team squad have come through our academy system is something we are very proud of and it is important to us as an organisation."

Both players will be awarded squad numbers in the New Year, outside of the top 20.

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Thanks to www.superleague.co.uk for this news.