Winger Richard Welding insists he has "a debt to repay" after agreeing a new two-year deal at Leeds Carnegie.
Leeds winger has 'a debt to repay' after signing new deal
Winger Richard Welding insists he has "a debt to repay" after agreeing a new two-year deal at Leeds Carnegie.
The 27-year-old has spent the past season dogged with injuries, having been the club's leading scorer in their promotion campaign last season.
Welding, who arrived at Headingley at the start of the 2006-07 season from Cornish Pirates, scored 15 tries in just 21 games in National One.
But Welding suffered a knee injury in October, before a shoulder injury left him sidelined for two months.
However, having been pencilled in for a return to action on Saturday in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Bath at the Recreation Ground, Welding believes he has unfinished business at the club.
Welding said: "Without doubt this has been the worst season of my career in terms of injuries but I am delighted that it is behind me now. I spoke with [director of rugby] Stuart Lancaster about the new deal and I know the club is in a good state of affairs.
"The injuries this season means that I have some unfinished business, I wanted to show what I can do at the highest level but unfortunately for now that has not worked out as I had hoped.
Thrilled
"I have got a debt to repay to those who have shown faith in me during this season, they have been loyal to me and I want to repay that loyalty with some good performances between now and the end of the season and by agreeing a new two year deal at the club."
Lancaster is thrilled to have committed Welding to the club and insists he is the first of a number of signings.
"I am delighted Richard has committed to a further two years at the club," said Lancaster.
"It has been a very frustrating season for him but we know he was one of our stand out players last season and I have no doubt he has the potential to play at the very top.
"It is great to have him back in the side this week and his return has given everyone associated with the team a lift for the trip to Bath.
"This signing signals the start of announcements in the coming weeks about our intentions to build a squad for a long term, sustainable future at the highest level."
