18-year-old Calum Clark is set to make his debut for Leeds Carnegie this Sunday against Saracens at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 3pm.
Clark has been part of the Leeds Academy system since he was 14 and he is highly thought of by both the Leeds Carnegie and England Academy staff. He studied at Richmond School before moving to Barnard Castle sixth form to do his A Levels. He can play anywhere in the back row and last year he agreed a new four year deal with Leeds Carnegie.
He has played for England U16's and U18's and previously for Darlington Rugby Club. Last season he was part of the Barnard Castle side who reached the Daily Mail Cup Final and is seen as one of the brightest young stars of the game.
Clark is one of eight changes to the side that started at Harlequins last Saturday. There is a new front row with Tommy McGee, Vili Ma'asi and Colin Noon all coming in whilst Erik Lund will make his first start since moving from Rotherham in the summer. Clark replaces the injured Jon Dunbar in the back row whilst Richard Vasey is drafted in to replace James Brooks. Lee Blackett will start in the centre allowing Richard Welding to revert to full back.
Players not considered due to unavailability/injury are:
Mike McDonald (USA), Fosi Pala'amo (compassionate leave), Rob Rawlinson (shoulder), Hendrie Fourie (bicep), Jon Dunbar (hamstring), Martin Schusterman (Arg), Andy Boyde (eye), Alberto Di Bernardo (hand), James Brookes (thigh), Rob Vickerman (hamstring), Andy Tuilagi (wrist).
The team in full is:
15 Richard Welding
14 John Holtby
13 Jonny Hepworth
12 Lee Blackett
11 Tom Biggs
10 Richard Vasey
9 Joe Bedford
1 Tommy McGee
2 Vili Ma'asi
3 Colin Noon
4 Erik Lund
5 Stuart Hooper (c)
6 Rhys Oakley
7 Calum Clark
8 Mark Lock
16 Adam Hopcroft
17 James Parkes
18 Pablo Bouza
19 Danny Paul
20 Mike Aspinall
21 Tom Rock
22 Leigh Hinton