RISING rugby league star Sean Weed has taken a major step towards carving out a career in the game he loves.

The 16-year-old centre, a star for Lancaster RLFC, has landed a contract with top Super League club St Helens.

Sean has been with Saints since he was 14 - and now his prowess has been rewarded with a contract with the professional superstars.

Weed has returned from a tour of Australia with the club, where he emerged as the top scorer with five tries.

During the three-week tour, Saints under-16s played three top Australian rugby league sides, winning all three games, including one against Penrith Panthers - whose senior side were last year's Australian champions.

Penrith, who just two weeks earlier had defeated New Zealand in the same age group, recruit from more than 40 clubs across New South Wales.

The other victories were against Wests Tigers under-17's and Chifley College under-18's - opponents who will undoubtedly feature in Australian National Rugby League over the next few years.

St Helens coach Ian Millward was delighted at the signing of Weed ,saying the youngster has outstanding potential.

"It is great news for the club that youngsters from across the north west are choosing to play for the Saints," he says.

Saints' player development manager Mike Rush told the Citizen: "To be fair we have had Sean with us since he was about 14 and he certainly has a talent. He has two good feet and good, solid hands and has a chance.

"We have signed on eight kids at 16 and they are all good otherwise they would not be here. Some will make it but some won't - but I think Sean has a fighting chance."