Leeds Carnegie are building for the future after signing England U16 international George Elliott.  Elliott, who attends Easingwold School near York, has signed for Leeds on a dual code contract and will train and play in both Leeds Carnegie's Academy and that of sister Rugby League club Leeds Rhinos.
The 16-year-old scrum half is one of four players from Leeds Carnegie included in the England U16 training squad that was recently announced for a Four Nations tournament.
Elliott, who plays at centre, is joined by Chris Walker, Chris McTurk and Josh Allan who were all part of the Leeds Carnegie RFU Academy. All four players have played for Yorkshire and the North in the recent Divisional tournament. Walker, who is the only forward of the quartet, attends Settle School whilst McTurk attends St Peters in York and Allan is a pupil at Halifax Gramma School. The Academy is recognised as the best in England and has seen the likes of Tom Biggs, Rob Vickerman, Danny Paul, Kearnan Myall, Michael Cusack and Calum Clark have all come through the system to play in the Guinness Premiership with the first team.
The England Under-16 Elite squad will meet up for a training session at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry on January 25 and 26. A further 20 players will be added to the squad after a further Divisional Match at Broadstreet on January 27 between a combined North & Midlands XV and London & South West XV.
England will select a senior squad to play in the Four Nations Tournament in Lyon from March 17 to 27 along with France, Italy and Wales, and an A team to participate in the annual Millfield Festival in Somerset between March 31 and April 6 alongside Canada, France A, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, USA and Wales A.
Commenting on the signing Leeds Carnegie RFU Academy Manager Diccon Edwards said, "We are delighted that George has agreed a contract with the club and we are pleased to be able to offer a young player the opportunity to develop as a Rugby Union and Rugby League player.
"George was the outstanding player for the North in their recent game against the South West. It is a credit to the work of James Tiffany and our work in the Junior Development System. Our academy system has been very successful and hopefully in two or three years time George will be pushing for selection for the first team squad."