Diccon Edwards ‘got it wrong’ with Leeds’ youth policy says departing Lee Blackett

Lee Blackett has  revealed his anger at the way senior players were jettisoned at Leeds by Diccon Edwards' youth-based policy.
The versatile Blackett has crossed Yorkshire to return to his boyhood club Rotherham and was one of a number of experienced campaigners including former Lions hooker Andy Titterrell and former Wallaby Lachlan Mackay who were shown  the exit door after their sixth-place finish.
Leeds have punched below their weight since their relegation from the Premiership in 2010 and Blackett feels much of the blame lies in the way youth was favoured over experience.
He said: “Last season was  the first year in the professional game that I really did not enjoy.
“I was hurt in the way that the senior players could have helped but were ignored.
“They did not want our input at all. Diccon Edwards wanted it all to be about the future.
“That hurts when you are 28. I should have been coming up to my peak, but I was being told I was past it.
“There are some fantastic young players there but they need to learn off the senior players.
“You have to allow the senior players to take leadership roles to guide these young lads through, but instead guys fresh out of the academy were put in charge of the senior guys. They did not know the right way.
“Having said that I loved Leeds as a club and I still do, but I do feel I want to prove a point when we play them next season.”
The move to Rotherham also reunites Blackett with coach Andre Bester, who made him captain during his first spell at the club.
There have been 19 other arrivals at Clifton Lane over the summer and having already had a glimpse of them during pre-season Blackett is thoroughly impressed.
But while the personnel may have changed, some things stay the same – including the eccentric habits of Bester.
He said: “About 99 per cent of the stories you hear about Andre Bester are true but you only have to see that Rotherham are the first club that Premiership clubs look at for recruitment to demonstrate what he does works.
“He just has this habit of uncovering rough diamonds and his man-management skills seem to be the same.
“He puts the fear of god into some players and that gets the best out of them. He has no problem screaming at second rows in front of everyone but other guys he will put an arm around their shoulder.
“This is probably the best squad Andre has put together at Rotherham at this level.
“In terms of strength in depth, this is the best squad we have had since we were in the Premiership.
“Our goal is the top four and that won't be easy with Newcastle coming down but with this squad it is perfectly achievable.
“Coming back here is something I always said I would do because I have a great fondness for the club. Being around here reminds why I loved rugby in the first place.”
DANIEL SCHOFIELD