Brian McClennan is keen to give Leeds youth its chance (Getty)

Leeds Rhinos have promoted four academy players to their first team.

The talented quartet are full-back Ben Jones-Bishop, 19, wing Kallum Watkins, 16, and hooker Paul McShane and forward Danny Allan, who are both 18.

"I have been very impressed with these four young men," said Rhinos head coach Brian McClennan.

"We are rightly proud of our academy system and we feel there is no need to wait until next season to promote these lads to the first-team squad."

All four players were part of the Rhinos academy teams who reached their respective Grand Finals in 2007.

They are ready to take the next step up and training full-time with World Champion players will be great for their development Brian McClennan

McClennan added: "They are ready to take the next step up and training full-time with World Champion players will be great for their development.

"However, it is not just their efforts in games that has given them this opportunity.

"They have been outstanding young people in all aspects of their life. If they were not, they would not get an opportunity at this club."

Leeds are widely acknowledged for their success in youth development, with nine of the 17 players who won the Carnegie World Club Challenge coming from the club's academy set up.

The newly-promoted players will begin training with the Rhinos first-team squad immediately.

"All four of these players have shown outstanding qualities during their time at the Rhinos," stated head of youth performance John Bastian.

"Importantly, all four of these players have come right through our system having served an apprenticeship at the club and they have worked hard to get this next opportunity.

"I am sure they will develop even further in the first-team environment."