England Under 20 squad members Jacob Rowan and Phil Swainston are facing the challenge of National Division One rugby as they look to gain invaluable playing experience with Otley.
The Academy products, alongside Calum Clark and Dan White are in the England U20 squad, have impressed within the Academy and A team set up this season and are now ready to play regular competitive rugby in National Division One.
The ability to dual register RFU Academy players has enabled them to continue to train within the 1st team squad at Leeds Carnegie whilst gaining experience from a playing perspective which will be of major benefit to them. There are already strong links with Otley as Mark Luffman is the Otley coach and other Academy products are also within Otleys squad to gain playing experience including Tom Denton, Peter Wackett, Luther Burrell and George Warner.
Mark Luffman, the assistant academy manager, commented, "The relationship with Otley is of major benefit to all parties. The players have adapted well to the challenge of forcing their way into the Otley side and are now starting to become key members of the squad. Both Jacob and Phil are still only 18 and to play National Division One rugby is a major achievement at that age and will be a real benefit to them as they develop their careers with Leeds Carnegie."