Hull Kingston Rovers have handed out new long-term contracts to trio Matty Marsh, Kieran Moran and Joe Wardill with immediate effect.
Half-back Marsh is the senior player of the trio, and he has committed to a new deal that will keep at the KC Lightstream Stadium until at least the end of 2018, with an additional option for a further 12 months.
Outside back Wardill and promising prop Moran made their Super League debuts this season after starting the year at the City of Hull Academy and they have both now signed their first professional contracts with the club, joining the first team squad on a full-time basis with immediate effect.
Wardill, who can play at centre, wing or full back, has signed a four-year deal whilst 18-year-old front-rower Moran has penned a three-year contract until the end of 2018.
Having also secured George Lawler to a new long-term deal last month, Hull KR’s Head of Rugby Jamie Peacock said: “Matty, Joe and Kieran have shown already this season that they have the potential to be a big part of this club for a long time and we’re delighted to secure their services for the foreseeable future.
“We have a plan in place in terms of how we want this club to develop over the next five years and a key part of that is retaining our best players and building a squad that can stay together for many years.
“As a club, we’ve said we don’t want to be reliant on the loan market throughout the season. We want to be developing our own players and these three are just some of the ones who have come through the academy and taken their opportunity.
“They are young, hungry and have their best years ahead of them and that’s exactly the type of player we want at Hull Kingston Rovers.”
Interim head coach James Webster added: “Matty has all the talent required to have a very bright future in the game but as with all young half backs he needs time to develop.
“His attitude is superb, he has the right frame to handle the physicality of Super League and he’s a good defender too, so there’s plenty there for us to work with but we need to be patient and allow him to learn the intricacies of his position.
“The more he plays the better he’ll get but he’s already shown some really nice touches this season and he fully deserves the security of his new contract.
“As for Kieran and Joe, I know them very well from my time at the City of Hull Academy and they are two very good prospects. They’ve already spent plenty of time around the first team squad but this is the next step up for them.
“They’re full-time Super League players now and they’ve shown they don’t look out of place at this level. They’ll have the opportunity to develop further over the next few years and we’re all looking forward to seeing their progression.”
