Leeds Rhinos rugby union convert 'one to look out for' as boss says sky's the limit

Centre Oscar Brown scored an outstanding solo try during Rhinos’ 26-10 defeat at Castleford Tigers in Brad Singleton’s testimonial game. The 19-year-old is still a rugby league novice, having been scouted from Harrogate Rugby Union Club, but he joined the full-time squad this year and has a big future, according to Leeds’ reserves and transition coach Chev Walker.

“He is really consistent with that stuff,” Walker said of Brown’s long-range try against Tigers. “He did that over and over for the under-18s last year. He is an unbelievable athlete. His rugby league age is really young so we don’t know how high his ceiling is. He is a great kid who works hard and wants to get better. He’ll be one to look out for.”

Brown joined Rhinos, initially on trial, two years ago. He signed a professional deal last summer after impressing with the academy and reserves and trains with the first team squad, though hasn’t yet been awarded a squad number. “That was probably his 15th game of rugby league in total,” Walker added of Sunday’s match.

“He is learning rapidly. I think being in and around the first team environment is really fast-tracking him, but we just need to be patient with him. He is a great kid to coach, he retains things and picks things up really quickly so the more he plays, the better he’ll get.”

Of Brown’s prospects of becoming a first team player, Walker said: “It comes down to character and he has got that in abundance. He has got the resilience to be able to dig in.

“He knows he is going to make mistakes and he is all right with that. While he has got that attitude towards it, he will keep improving. He is going in the right direction, he will be good and it’s exciting to be part of his journey.”