Diccon Edwards proud of Leeds Carnegie academy success

Joe Ford is the latest academy product to progress to the Leeds first team

Leeds Carnegie academy manager Diccon Edwards says they have to stay in the Premiership in order to keep hold of their brightest young stars.

Leeds' yo-yoing in previous seasons has seen youngsters like Danny Care and Jordon Crane move to bigger clubs.

Meanwhile flanker Calum Clark will is heading to Northampton for next season.

"I'm sure as we develop as a club and survive in the Premiership this season we will be able to keep hold of our top talents," Edwards told BBC Radio Leeds.

Leeds currently sit 11th in the Premiership, two points above bottom club Worcester, and believe they can become a major force in the top-flight if they can stay up this season.

"I'm sure our switching between the Premiership and Championship has affected some young players' decisions to leave in previous years," explained Edwards.

"All we can keep doing is providing an environment where the youngsters can develop and learn and get the opportunity to play in the first team.

"We have a very strong academy here and that's highlighted by the good results we get in our younger teams and also at A-team level.

"I think this shows the potential within the club. We are a club that has always promoted the young players and it's a great place for lads to learn their trade."

Leeds have been quick to give their young talents first-team experience at other clubs, shipping players out to Championship outfit Rotherham Titans and also Wharfedale and Otley in National League One.

"It's very beneficial for the lads to go out and learn to play first-team rugby at a very good level and importantly playing men's rugby rather than boys' rugby.

"It takes the boys a bit of time to adapt to men's rugby as it's very different, but the experience is vital for them.

"The progression of Joe Ford [Leeds fly-half] at Wharfedale at the start of the season highlights this.

"There he learned to organise and run a team as a young player in an adult side. He's taken that on into Leeds' A team and then into the first team."