Hinton joined Leeds from Newport Gwent Dragons

Leeds Carnegie full-back Leigh Hinton believes the current squad is the best he has ever played in.

Birmingham-born Hinton is now one of the longest-serving players at Headingley and has been impressed with the ability of Leeds' new side.

The 31-year-old told BBC Radio Leeds: "There is no doubt that since I've been at the club it's the strongest squad we've had.

"So bearing that in mind we know we have to perform this year."

He added: "I've spoke to a couple of guys around the club that work here and they think it's the strongest squad we've ever had and it's difficult to disagree with that.

"That means we need to make sure we have to make our way up the table and we are not looking down at the bottom but up at the top."

Hinton is part of the Leeds squad that has travelled to France for a training camp ahead of Friday's first game of pre-season against Agen.

He will be filming a video diary during the tour and will hope the trip across the channel goes better than last season's when he seriously injured his shoulder against Aurillac.

"I've been advised to avoid any big Fijians this year, as that cost me a couple of months last time. But that is just one of those things and could have happened at any time.

"Hopefully I'll return this year unscathed along with the rest of the squad.

"After that injury I know it is very important for me to stay injury free this time and have a good pre-season.

"It's no secret I struggled with my injury for the early part of the season and then it was very hard to get up to speed for the season.

"So it's been great for me this year to work on a few weak areas and hopefully I can stay injury free and go into the season feeling sharp and hit the ground running."

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