Marco Wentzel happy with future at Leeds Carnegie

Wentzel joined Leeds from Leicester Tigers in 2009

Leeds captain Marco Wentzel says he is happy with the direction they are heading in after signing a new two-year deal with the Premiership club.

Andy Key recently left his position as director of rugby with Carnegie bottom of the table.

But Wentzel told BBC Radio Leeds: "I'm very happy and I believe in the vision that Paul Caddick [club owner] and the board have for Leeds Carnegie."

"The reason I stayed is because the club are committed to the future."

Chief executive Gary Hetherington has admitted that poor results on the field and a need to focus spending more on players than staff were reasons for Key's exit.

A number of other players at Headingley are expected to sign new deals, following South African Wentzel's example, and new signings are also expected to be announced soon.

"For once Leeds have said they are going to make a stand," added Wentzel. "They have a two-year plan and regardless of the division we are in we will sign up the players we want.

"I've said it in the past, Northampton and Harlequins kept their best players [when they were relegated] and look where they are now.

"That's what Leeds needed to do and that's what they are going to do now. We can't wait to sign new players or give players here new contracts in April, it's too late then.

"You have to sign your players up early and keep your squad and mostly importantly sign your young players up early or others will take them off you.

"We are now signing these guys up early and that's great."

BBC Radio Leeds has commentary of Leeds Carnegie against Newcastle Falcons on 774 AM, DAB and online at bbc.co.uk/leeds on Sunday from 1700 GMT.