Leeds Carnegie have released 14 members from their squad after their relegation from the Guinness Premiership was confirmed at the weekend.

The players, including Argentina World Cup flanker Martin Schusterman, will leave Headingley at the end of the current campaign.

But the club have agreed new contracts with two of their current squad.

Leigh Hinton and Jonny Hepworth have both agreed new deals as Leeds look for an immediate return to the top flight.

Hinton, 29, has featured in every Guinness Premiership game for the club this season and was the top points scorer in National Division One last season. He has agreed a new one-year deal with the club.

Hepworth returned to Headingley Carnegie last season having originally come through the academy structure at sister club Leeds Rhinos.

The 25-year-old has missed the last four games with a knee injury but is set to return in the penultimate game of the season at London Irish. He has agreed a new two-year deal.

Director of rugby Stuart Lancaster said: “I am delighted that Leigh and Jonny have agreed new contracts with the club and we are in the process of renewing all the contracts of players we wish to retain for next season.

“Both Leigh and Jonny were important players for us last season and they will be stronger from the experience of having performed at the highest level in the Guinness Premiership this season.”
The players leaving Headingley at the end of the season are Mark Lock, Darren Edwards, Colin Noon, Pablo Bouza, Martin Schusterman, John Holtby, Mike Aspinall, Tom Rock, James Parkes, Andy Rock, Richard Vasey, Tom Whittaker, Max Lewis and Michael Cusack.

Of those Edwards, Noon and Bouza are retiring from rugby.

Lancaster added: “It is obviously an aspect of professional sport that people will move on from time to time. All of these players have given outstanding service to the club.

“The majority of them have been with us for the past two years and joined the club at a difficult time in our history.

“Their dedication and commitment to the club went a long way to rebuilding the team and we will always be grateful for that.

“This gives us the opportunity to free up places for a new players coming through the Academy in addition to bringing some new players into the squad.”

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