Rising star Callum McLelland happy to play the waiting game at Leeds Rhinos

On one hand, he is learning every day from two top play-makers, but on the other it will be a battle to break through into Rhinos’ Betfred Super League side.

At 20, McLelland has time on his side and the former Castleford academy and Edinburgh rugby union half-back is playing a game of patience.

“I have got Galey and Rob, both world-class half-backs, in front of me,” he said. “It is great learning off them and I really do learn a lot off them.

“We are close off the field as well, which helps. I am all behind the lads and I wish them all the best every time they play.

“Every training session for me is massive and I have just got to do what I can and hopefully over the coming weeks I get a shot.”

McLelland has been in both Leeds’ and partner club Featherstone Rovers’ initial 21-man squad for the opening three weeks of the campaign, which suggests he is in Rhinos boss Richard Agar’s thoughts.

“I just keep knocking on the door asking if I am going to get a chance,” he said of his prospects of a Rhinos call-up. I just need to keep waiting patiently and if it does come, take it. Any young kid playing at a club like Leeds wants to be playing in front of that crowd every week.”

McLelland made two starts and one substitute appearance for Rhinos last season, but spent much of the campaign with Featherstone and was influential in their march to the Betfred Championship Grand Final.

He impressed for Scotland in their World Cup qualifying campaign and caught the eye again for promotion-chasing Rovers, on dual-registration, in their opening two games of this year.

“I am enjoying it,” McLelland said of his start to the season with Featherstone. “We’ve had a couple of good wins, including last week against Bradford in tough conditions.

“We just have to keep building week-by-week. From playing there last year I am really comfortable with all the lads and their style of play.

“At the end of the day I am a Leeds player and I want to be playing at Leeds, but as a second option, whenever they need me and if I am available I will put my hand up.”

The dual-registration agreement means McLelland is playing at a high standard every week. The alternative would be turning out for Rhinos’ reserves, but McLelland reckons the second tier is a better learning experience.

“You only have to look at some of the results in the Championship,” he said. “There’s some really talented teams and some really tough teams. It is a great level to play in, especially as a young lad.”

Rovers are fourth in the Championship, with a game in hand on the teams above them. McLelland said: “They are just taking it week-by-week, as long as we keep knocking off opponents week-by-week, that end goal will come closer.”