Duo earn Tigers contracts

The duo - both members of the Tigers’ Under-18s League-winning Academy side, will make the step up to the Development Squad when action can resume next season.

Edwards and Vanes were their side’s co-captains last season and join teammates Harry Glynn, Emeka Ilione, Jack Rowntree and Kit Smith in making the step up.

Edwards, a scrum-half, who has featured in two of the club’s three successive Under-18 League title wins, while front-rower Vanes was also part of last season’s success.

The two Tigers have also represented England under 18s.

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said: “These are six highly impressive young men who have each played major roles in the success of our academy programme.

“They have been given an opportunity because of their hard work, but now it gets even harder for them and we’re confident they will commit to what is required and add valuable depth to our squad from next season.

“The foundations built in these young men by Dave Wilks, Matt Smith and the entire Tigers Academy staff have done an excellent job and the club is aware of the importance of bringing through talented players, who are also good young men, into the senior programme”