Loose-forward/stand-off Danny Allan, 19, full-back Ben Jones-Bishop, 19, hooker Paul McShane, 18, and centre Kallum Watkins, 18, have committed themselves to the club until the end of the 2012 season.

Allan, Jones-Bishop and Watkins all made their Super League debut this season, receiving glowing reviews from Rhinos' senior players and coaching staff, while McShane is regarded as one of the brightest talents currently playing Academy or reserve grade rugby.

Coach Brian McClennan believes the quartet are the future for Rhinos.
"It is good news for the club that we are able to reward these young players with full-time contracts," he said.

"We have got a lot of faith in our system and to be able fulfil these young men's dreams of becoming full-time professional Leeds players makes it all worthwhile. It gives us a lot of confidence that we are doing the right things."

McShane and Watkins both signed their new contracts before jetting to Australia last night with the England Academy tour squad.

McClennan said: "We were really pleased that they were selected. It is something we've had in mind for a while now.

"We wanted them to get an experience of touring and we think they will be better for it when they come back.

"It is chance to play alongside young players of their own age and to experience playing in Australia will be really beneficial."

Rhinos head of youth performance John Bastian believes the four teenagers all have the potential to become Super League regulars.

"They have got every opportunity to achieve that," he said.

"They are very fortunate to be around players like Jamie Peacock and Keith Senior, who are going to pass really good habits on to them.

"That is already happening. Bluey (McClennan) brought them into the first grade squad from our X-factor group earlier this year and that has been marvellous for their development. They have grabbed it with both hands and done really well."

Bastian added: "We have had a long line of players who have developed through our youth structure, the likes of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow.

"This is a continuation of that. We have unearthed four really talented young players and the prospect of them being with the club for many years to come is great for the supporters and everybody involved with Leeds Rhinos."

Meanwhile, Rhinos' senior squad were due to fly to the Continent today to begin preparations for Saturday's crucial engage Super League showdown with Les Catalans Dragons.

Rhinos were jetting from Leeds-Bradford to Barcelona, before a coach transfer to Perpignan, in the south of France, where Catalans are based.