Leeds Rhinos’ stars of the future will be on show against Warrington Wolves says Richard Agar

Three members of the side which beat Wigan Warriors in a Coral Challenge Cup semi-final 10 days ago – Brad Dwyer, Cameron Smith and Tom Holroyd – are included in Leeds’ initial 21-man squad and Jack Walker could also back up from last Thursday’s win over Hull.

First-team regulars Adam Cuthbertson, ex-Warrington man Bodene Thompson and Luke Briscoe are also included, along with on-loan veteran Brett Ferres and ex-Wolves back Rhys Evans.

But – with Wembley looming in five days’ time – the rest of the squad is made up of rookies, including five teenagers and Agar said: “We see them as a way to rebuild the club, as our long-term future”.

The coach insisted: “We think we are in a period when we have got a very good crop.

“We have seen the emergence of a number of them at first-grade level already this season and that’s the key to building a successful club, getting these guys exposure and turning them into first-graders.”

Rhinos have made some influential signings since Agar took charge midway through last year, but he stressed: “To build anything sustainable it has to be through the kids.

“You can’t recruit year on year and guarantee it’s going to be successful.

“We have got a couple of our older end off contract this year and we are really confident we can replenish our squad and move our squad forward with guys internally.

“We think they have made terrific strides this year, even though they haven’t had football to play every week.

“Their physical development and the knowledge and understanding of what’s required of them has been great and, importantly, we think we have got some really good guys too, with a good attitude.”

Agar revealed the young players have been mentored by a club legend who has been down the same path.

“Jamie Jones-Buchanan [one of Rhinos’ assistant-coaches] has done some terrific work with them,” he said.

“He makes sure he always gives them some quality extras every week and you probably could not want to spend time with a better bloke when it comes to understanding about what it takes to make it to the top.

“We have got high hopes for them and it’s going they are going to get more experience.”

The likes of winger Liam Tindall and forwards Sam Walters and Jarrod O’Connor all impressed when Rhinos’ entire semi-final squad was rested for the visit of Catalans Dragons two weeks ago and Agar said he is looking for “the same again”.

Rhinos’ youngsters were beaten 34-6, but only after conceding two converted tries in the final four minutes.

Agar said: “We’ve talked very much about the effort, toughness and commitment we’d like to play with.

“We are not focusing too much on the big picture.

“We have some internal standards and areas of the game we like to be strong in, regardless of the result and I think that’s what we are looking for again.

“The guys got a terrific taste of it last time and came out with a real confidence in the way they handled the physical nature of the game, so we want more of the same.

“We are playing another top team who are challenging up there for the title so it will be a terrific challenge for them and we are looking forward to it.”

Rhinos are fourth in the table, one place above Warrington and it was a similar situation before Leeds played Catalans.

Agar admitted: “The flip side is we’ve had to field less experienced teams against top-four opposition, but I would defy anyone to make an argument that you can get adequate preparation for a Challenge Cup semi-final and final by playing midweek games.

“You just can’t, so unfortunately we can’t have it both ways.

“We still think we have got ample time to make the top-four once the Challenge Cup final is done and dusted.”

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