Leeds head coach Neil Back was full of praise for his young side after they secured a 28-17 LV= Cup win over Leicester.
Much-changed Tigers left to rue poor first-half display at Headingley
Neil Back believes the future is bright at Leeds after a host of the club's academy graduates engineered a 28-17 LV= Cup win over Leicester.
Debutant Joe Ford scored 18 points for the hosts at Headingley to win the family battle against younger brother George, who was playing for the Tigers.
Older sibling Joe was influential in a one-sided first half, scoring one of three tries for Leeds. Scott Armstrong and Scott Mathie also touched down.
Having been 25-3 ahead at the break, Back's young line-up were forced to hold off a Leicester fightback to secure their second successive victory.
Momentum
"We rotated the squad from last week and 12 of the guys who played today had come through the academy," he said.
"The future at Leeds is very strong and I was really pleased with the performance.
"It was important to get the win and keep the momentum going, and they delivered which was fantastic for the club.
"Joe has performed outstandingly well in the A League and academy system and took his opportunity with a man-of-the-match performance."
Ford admitted he couldn't have asked for much more on his debut after a man-of-the-match display in front of father and England coach Mike Ford.
"It's always good to get a good start and the first 20 minutes couldn't have been any better for us really," he admitted.
"Did I enjoy it? If I'd sat down the night before and tried to plan out how my debut would go, then that was pretty close.
"I know I made some mistakes but it's something to work on. George and I didn't talk much beforehand.
"Fair play to him, he's one of the youngest players ever to play at that level and I'm really proud of him. He's only 16 and to put in a performance like that just shows his ability and his potential."
Spirited
Leicester head coach Richard Cockerill was pleased with the display of his own Ford, with 16-year-old George starting at fly-half.
The Tigers, who defeated the touring South Africans at Welford Road on Friday night, paid the price for a sluggish first-half display.
"It was a really spirited performance and I was delighted with the spirit, but it was just a really poor first half," he said.
"At 25-3 down at half-time they could have capitulated but the young lads stood up really well. George Ford is 16 and-a-half, Joe Cobden is 17 and Will Hurrell did well too.
"I was delighted for George because he did well against his brother and put in a good performance in the senior side.
"We have used this tournament as a development for our younger squad and we had a shadow side out tonight, but there were lots of positives to take from the game."