TWO of rugby league's brightest young talents have left Super League Warrington to link up with their hometown club.

Leigh Rangers products Michael Govin and Thomas Grundy have been lured away from Wilderspool to join Leigh Centurions' growing first grade squad.

Paperwork for the 18-year-olds was completed this week in the face of some stiff competition, including other Super League clubs.

Govin, a stand-off or loose-forward, and second rower Grundy, will make their Leigh debuts in the Tommy Martyn Testimonial game against St Helens at Hilton Park on Sunday week.

Leigh head coach Darren Abram is delighted to have snapped up both players and predicts that they have big futures ahead.

"These two kids a real quality, make no mistake," Abram says. "I tried to get them to play for Leigh Academy when I was in charge a couple of years ago but they were spirited away by Warrington.

"Throughout the last couple of years I have closely monitored their progress and when there was a chance of them becoming available, I moved in. The competition to get them was fierce but the two lads are desperate to play for their hometown club and that has been a big pull. In addition I've told them that if they continue to progress they'll play in the first team this season."

Govin is a ball-handling six or 13 while Grundy is a wide-running second rower. Abram sees both as key elements in the club's development plans, especially if the Centurions win promotion to Super League.

"I've no doubt that Thomas and Michael will be capable of playing at the next level," Abram adds. "If we do go up, these two will be among the first players I'll be keeping.

"This is what I'm trying to do at Leigh, invest in the future by bringing in good young, local talent."

Abram's sentiments have been echoed by Director of Football Alex Murphy who fully backs Leigh's youth recruitment drive.

"This is another classic case of top young talent going out of the town. Only this time we've been lucky enough to get them back at a very early age," he says.

"The drain of young players away from Leigh has to stop. I know we can't compete financially with the big boys but we must at least try to stop talent going out of town."