Leeds flanker Clark earns praise

Clark is the youngest forward to appear in the Guinness Premiership

Leeds Carnegie flanker Calum Clark has been praised for captaining the England under-20s team to the final of the Junior World Championship in Japan.

The side lost 44-28 to New Zealand in the final, but impressed Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty.

"I would like to congratulate the England team on their fantastic achievement in reaching the final," said McCafferty.

"Their performance will have made their respective clubs very proud."

Clark skippered the side to the Six Nations title earlier in the year and led the team to victory over South Africa in the semi-finals in Japan.

McCafferty added: "England captain Calum Clark made his Premiership debut for Leeds as far back as September 2007 and I am sure he will relish helping Leeds Carnegie on their return to the top flight.

"I am sure that we will see more of this talented group make their debuts in the coming season; the future of English rugby looks extremely bright.

"These players are the future stars of the Guinness Premiership and help demonstrate there is a conveyor belt of English talent coming through the club game.

"Several already have a good deal of experience in the league."

Meanwhile, Leeds prop Juan Gomez helped Argentina Jaguars lift the Churchill Cup Plate as they beat hosts Canada 44-29 in Sunday's final, while fellow Carnegie prop Mike Macdonald's United States team won the Bowl Final with a 31-13 victory over Georgia.