Kippax-born Paul made his debut for Leeds back in 2004 in the same team as England internationals Danny Care and Jordan Crane. Originally a prop, the 6'4" 22 year old, converted to the back row following an injury earlier in his career. Under the tutelage of Neil Back last season, he has emerged as one of the brightest young stars of the Leeds Carnegie squad.
Commenting on his new deal Paul said, "There is no other club I would want to play for and now I just want to concentrate on helping Leeds Carnegie stay in the Guinness Premiership. There is a nucleus of Yorkshire lads in the first team squad and the club's vision is to grow that number in the coming years. It is special to be part of that and it is a good feeling to know that the club wants you to succeed at the highest level.
"I managed to establish myself in the first team squad last season and hopefully I can build on that next year. I have had a minor clear up operation on my shoulder but I will be back for the pre-season games hopefully and I am looking forward to testing myself against the big boys. To be playing against sides like Harlequins with Nick Easter opposite me is a massive challenge but one that I am really looking forward to," added Paul.
Director of Rugby Andy Key was pleased to have secured another one of the club's young prospects after it was announced earlier in the summer that Kearnan Myall had also agreed a new deal with the club. He commented, "Players like Kearnan and Danny are very important for the growth and sustainability of Leeds Carnegie in the long term. Both are exciting, young players from Yorkshire who have a real pride in representing the club, its values and its supporters whenever they take the field.
"We look for those qualities in all our players, whether they are home grown or come from further a field and I am delighted that Danny has agreed a new contract and look forward to watching him continue to work hard and develop over the next two seasons and beyond.
"Likewise we are very proud of Calum Clark who will captain the England U20 side in the IRB Junior World Championship Final on Sunday against New Zealand. The development of young players here at Leeds Carnegie is very much at the forefront of our plans for the future and we are delighted to give players the opportunity to play first team rugby at the highest level," added Key.
