There is a great team spirit within the squad having gone from rocky beginnings to becoming champions and that will stand us in good stead going forward.

Mike MacDonald on life at Leeds.
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Guinness Premiership new boys Leeds have handed prop Mike MacDonald a two-year contract extension.

The USA international helped the club win the National One title last season, scoring 10 tries in the process.

Now he has signed on for another two years at Headingley, although he will miss the start of the 2007/08 campaign due to the World Cup.

"I had a great time here last year and I am really pleased to have agreed a new two-year deal," he said.

"There is a great team spirit within the squad having gone from rocky beginnings to becoming champions and that will stand us in good stead going forward.

Busy

"It is a big year for me with the World Cup and our return to the Guinness Premiership.

"It is unfortunate that the start of the season overlaps with the World Cup but hopefully I will only miss two or three games and I am keen to get back as soon as possible to fight for my place in the team."

MacDonald's new deal continues a busy summer for director of rugby Stuart Lancaster, who has already added five players to his squad and is keen to continue recruiting ahead of the club's return to the top flight.

Leeds have captured Alberto Di Bernardo and Vili Ma'asi from Cornish Pirates and Joe Bedford, Adam Hopcroft and Hendre Fourie from Rotherham Titans.

Effective

"I am delighted to have secured the services of Mike MacDonald for a further two years," Lancaster commented.

"Mike was a key player for us throughout our National One campaign and he has proved to be an effective player, not just at scrummaging, but also as a ball carrier and a defender.

"There is still room for him to develop further and I am delighted that I will be working with him to take him to the next level and I am sure he is more than capable of competing at the highest level."

Over the possibility of more new faces, Lancaster added: "We have already added five players to the squad and will be looking to bring in further new recruits in the coming weeks."