Denton made his Leeds debut in 2008

Leeds Carnegie head coach Neil Back believes second row Tom Denton can become an England international.

The academy product, 22, has become Leeds' first choice lock, alongside captain Marco Wentzel, and has started nine of Leeds' 10 Premiership games.

Back told BBC Radio Leeds: "Tom has played a lot of rugby this season and it's really benefited his development.

"He is one of the bright stars of the Premiership and a potential England international of the future."

The former Malton and Norton forward featured 12 times for Leeds last season, but found himself behind Erik Lund as first-choice second-row partner for Wentzel.

I'm very disappointed for Jon Pendlebury because he is going to be out for another couple of months. It's very frustrating for him Neil Back

This campaign, despite competition from new signing Sean Hohneck and Jon Pendlebury, he has taken his opportunity to become a first-team regular.

Back added: "He is still very young and is developing all the time. He has really kicked on this season and is impressing all the time.

"He has a bright future ahead and looks a really good prospect now."

Denton's good form has come at just the right time for Carnegie, with Hohneck and Pendlebury both sidelined.

Former Gloucester man Pendlebury is now likely to miss most of the rest of the season after a major shoulder operation.

New Zealander Hohneck has only managed four appearances for his new club due to an ankle injury.

"I'm very disappointed for Jon because he is going to be out for another couple of months," said Back.

"That has dented where he wanted to be personally and it's very frustrating for him.

"Sean has been out for a while, but should be be back in a couple of weeks, so there is some good news there for us."

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