Rising star Sam Walters agrees new Leeds Rhinos contract

The deal will keep Walters at the club until the end of 2023, adding 12 months to his previous contract.

The 20-year-old second-rower joined Rhinos from Widnes Vikings in 2019, made his Betfred Super League debut in September, 2020 and has featured in Leeds’ last two games.

Liverpool-born Walters, who is also in the initial squad for today’s visit to Hull KR, said: “I didn’t want to be anywhere else and it is a boost to my confidence that [director of rugby] Kevin Sinfield and [coach] Richard Agar see me as part of the club’s plans moving forward.”

He insisted: “It was an aim of mine at the start of pre-season to try and earn a new deal and I really pleased to have achieved that.

“Having had the game time I have already experienced this year speaks volumes to me about my future here and I am looking forward to the future now.”

Walters’ new deal is the second announced by Rhinos this week, after winger Ash Handley committed himself to the club until the end of 2024.

Sinfield said: “Sam was already an England Academy international when he joined us from Widnes so clearly had potential.

“However, he has worked hard over the last 18 months to improve his game and we are seeing the fruits of that work in the games he has played recently.

“As a club, we always look to reward players for their efforts and we are pleased to be able to offer Sam a new contract and that he has accepted it.”

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