Leeds Carnegie back row Calum Clark will become the youngest ever forward to start a game in the Guinness Premiership when Leeds take on Saracens this Sunday at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 3pm.
Clark, who turned 18 on 10th June this year, will surpass Wasps James Haskell as the youngest ever forward to start a game in the Guinness Premiership. The youngest ever player to appear in the Guinness Premiership also did so for Leeds when winger David Doherty made his debut in 2004 aged 17 years and 95 days.
Clark is the fifth youngest player to appear in the Guinness Premiership, behind Doherty, Chris Bell at Harlequins, Mathew Tait at Newcastle and Ollie Smith at Leicester.
Commenting on his selection Clark said, "This is a massive opportunity for me and hopefully I can make the most of it and perform well on Sunday. The team was announced on Friday but the coaches told me I would be involved on Wednesday. I have just started at University studying Economics and Management and I was at uni on Thursday on my day off training, so it has been all go.
"Saracens have got a big strong back row and I am looking forward to challenging myself against them on Sunday. I don't think there is a club like Leeds anywhere else in the world. The club has a policy of giving young players a chance, which is fantastic. That is supported all the way through the club and I think the fans should be proud of that fact. When you look at the calibre of players who have come through, and where they are now, is speaks volumes for the talent that is in Yorkshire and it is definitely the way forward," added the back rower who first played the game at Darlington RUFC.