Rising star Zak Hardaker has been handed Keith Senior's number four shirt at Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.
Youngster takes club legend's number four shirt for 2012
Rising star Zak Hardaker has been handed Keith Senior's number four shirt at Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.
The 20-year-old centre, who burst onto the Super League scene in 2011 in spectacular fashion with 12 tries in 15 appearances including one in their Grand-Final triumph over St Helens, takes number four in the champions' squad for 2012.
Senior, whose move to Crusaders collapsed when the Wrexham pulled out of Super League, is still mulling over an offer to stay with Leeds on a pay-as-you-play basis but will not be in their 25-man squad if he accepts.
The Rhinos have made no fewer than 13 changes from last season, with Kallum Watkins taking over the number three shirt from Brett Delaney and Paul McShane confirmed as the successor to the departed Danny Buderus after being handed the number nine jersey.
Youngsters Brad Singleton, Liam Hood and Stevie Ward have all been promoted to coach Brian McDermott's senior squad.
"The club has always had a policy of awarding squad numbers based on performances from the previous season and all these players have earned their new numbers," McDermott said.
"Whilst the number does not guarantee them anything for the new season, it is recognition for the hard work and dedication they have shown."
