Scholarship stars make step up to Rhinos Academy for 2027

Leeds Rhinos are pleased to confirm the ten players who have agreed their first professional contracts with the club and will move into the Under-18s Academy squad from the 2027 season.

Eight members of the cohort have been brought through the Scholarship programme as the club continues to commit to developing the stars of the next generation. Dillon Eshun, Joe Gill, Alfie Quinn, Noah Sheriffe, Wade Smith and Ben Smith have been rewarded for standout performances over the last two seasons in the Under-16s, plus Kazimierz Ciuraj-Davison and Bamidele Olasode, who were identified by the Rhinos Talent ID staff midway through the current season, have also earned new contracts.

The players will be paraded at half time of the Leeds Rhinos vs Leigh Leopards Betfred Super League game this Thursday, where they will also be joined by the club's latest cohort of Scholarship signings who were announced at the start of the month.

Centres Gill and Sheriffe have proved capable point scorers during their time at Leeds, finishing 2026 as the Scholarship’s top try scorer and goal scorer respectively. Accumulating seven tries in 12 games over both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Gill was ever-present this year and scored six tries. Sheriffe finished the campaign with four tries and 16 goals in six appearances, after the Oulton Raiders junior finished his debut Scholarship year with four tries in five games.

Speaking about signing his first professional contract with the Rhinos, Gill said: “It's been quite a challenging first two years with the Scholarship, especially the second year, but it's been really enjoyable working with Simon Brown in the second year and Mark Butterill in the first year.  It's been really enjoyable, and I'm really excited to go in with the Academy next year.

“The coaches here have put a lot of time into me. The S&C coaches and also the technical coaches have put a lot of effort into me, so when I found out that I had the opportunity to work for at least another two years, it was a no-brainer. Working with Simon for a year already gives me confidence going into the next year, as I already know one of the coaches, and in my first year of scholarship I was working with a couple of lads in the Academy now, so I know a lot of them as well. It just puts a bit of confidence into you. You know the system, you know the lads, and it's just exciting.  

“I’ve got a lot of chemistry with the lads who are also moving up; we're all good mates, so I think that will be brought into our game as well.”

Forward Eshun and winger Quinn have also been regulars on the team sheet in 2026, only missing one game each. Garforth Tigers winger Quinn has scored four tries during his time in the Under-16s, whilst Eshun has been a leader in the pack either as a second rower or loose forward. Additionally, in the forwards, Olasode has shown plenty of potential after scoring two tries on his first appearance against Wigan, whilst Ciuraj-Davison played every game down the final stretch of the season since coming off the bench against Wakefield Trinity in April. Both players are part of the Hill House School rugby programme and recently played their community rugby league at Lock Lane.

Queensbury’s Wade Smith made a fast start to his time with the Rhinos, recording four tries in his first two games. This season, he has been a mainstay on the wing with six appearances and three tries. Dewsbury Moor’s Ben Smith completes the Rhinos Scholarship cohort stepping up, as the prop has only missed one game for the club over the last two years.

Alongside the homegrown talents, Harvey Hinchcliffe and Ben Longstaff have committed to the Rhinos from Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves’ Scholarship programmes. Hooker Hinchcliffe has been with the Giants for the last two years and played six out of eight games in 2026, whilst second rower Longstaff was ever-present for Warrington in 2026 as he helped the Wolves to six wins, having joined them from Leeds community club Oulton Raiders. Longstaff will combine playing with the Rhinos alongside completing his studies at Woodhouse Grove, who have previously supported the development of the likes of rising first team star Fergus McCormack. 

Longstaff said: “I'm really excited to join the club, and I've been offered a big opportunity.

“I really enjoyed it at Warrington. It was a good two years and a big commitment to travel over from Leeds to go all the way to Warrington. It’s ended up being a really good opportunity leaving to go to Leeds and I'm looking forward to making sure that opportunity is taken to hopefully built into a Super League player. 

“I thought Leeds was the right club to join. Even from the stats and the results, it shows how good a team they are in youth and academy. Everything seems really good, and I think as an individual, I could really thrive here and end up working my way up the ranks.

“It took me a long time to actually make my decision about joining the Rhinos whilst still wanting to go to Woodhouse Grove because it's a big factor doing my education at the same time. It's going to be hard, but everything will get a good balance with my education and rugby. I'm really excited for it.”

Leeds Rhinos Head of Youth Darren Higgins said: “It's fantastic to see these lads sign their first professional contracts here at the club. It’s a great achievement and follows two years of hard work and commitment to our Scholarship programme. 

“The players have not only demonstrated both talent and further potential during the last two years but, more importantly, the character and behaviours required to progress further. This is not only a proud moment for each player and their family but also the schools, community club coaches and scholarship staff who have all played their part in helping each player reach this stage.

“It’s great to welcome Ben and Harvey to be part of our squad for next year too. A lot of time has been spent observing them play in the last six months both at community level and for their Scholarship club, and we are excited for them to be joining us.”

Leeds Rhinos Transition Head Coach Chev Walker said: “It's a pleasure and a privilege that we get to build relationships every year with new players and teach them to play the way that we want them to play and teach them our DNA. I’m really excited. 

“We've got a couple of players that are coming from outside the club, which is not the norm for us as a club, but we felt like it was necessary this year. It's a great opportunity to meet people that have been in different systems, and as young as they are, we might actually learn something from them to further develop our players too.”

(Photo caption: From Left to Right - Ben Smith, Dillon Eshun, Ben Longstaff, Bamidele Olasode, Alfie Quinn, Harvey Hinchcliffe, Joe Gill, Wade Smith)