Leeds Rhinos: Hunslet benefit as Rhinos cut a full dozen from academy roster

The released list includes six players from the 2016 under-19s team who will be over-age for the 2017 campaign and have not been included in the full-time squad.

Rhinos do not run a reserve grade, so a decision has to be made on a player’s future at the end of his third and final year in the under-19s.

Half-back Joe Sanderson has already signed for Kingstone Press League One neighbours Hunslet, but will continue to work for Rhinos’ foundation.

Prop Nyle Flynn has also moved to Hunslet and three-quarter Billy McDermott is now studying at Leeds Beckett University as well as working for Rhinos’ foundation.

Centres Tommy Brierley and Jack Norfolk and second-row Nathan Barker have yet to find a new club.

Winger Ryan Jones, who was a member of the England academy squad which toured Australia in the summer, is among the second-year players released.

Half-back Jack Wray has signed for Hull on a three-year contract and will be part of their first-team squad, winger Charlie Brown has been released to attend Leeds Trinity University and second-row Harvey Hallas has also left the club.

First-year players not retained are second-rowers Dyson Nicholson and Luke Naughton.

Rhinos are expected to confirm their first-team squad numbers for 2017 next week.