Harlequins Rugby League 28 Leeds Rhinos 24

David Howell has called on ALL his Harlequins Rugby League teammates to stand up and be counted following their brilliant victory over Leeds Rhinos.

Quins hit the road again on Sunday when they visit Huddersfield Giants after putting Super League champions Leeds to the sword at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

Brian McDermott's side have lost four consecutive games on their travels.

But Aussie winger Howell reckons everyone putting the effort in rather than just a few, and concentrating for the full 80 minutes, will help Quins make their mark away from home too.

He said: "It'll be a tough one up there. We've played well in patches away from home, but we've gone away from our game plan - which hasn't helped.

"There might be one or two that have played well, but the rest of the team has let them down."

If Quins are to build on their impressive win over Leeds, the club's youngsters will have a big say in it.

Injuries to key players like Mark McLinden and Daniel Heckenberg have given the youngsters a chance to shine.

Seven players of the squad which took on Leeds were brought through the club's academy, and one of them - Will Sharp - bagged two tries.

Howell said: "It shows that the club has a good future and plenty of people that can fill the spots when there's a few injuries.

"They've proved they can play, and that's great to see."

Scott Hill and Chad Randall also crossed the try-line as Quins inflicted a 28-24 defeat on Leeds, avenging their recent Challenge Cup exit to the Rhinos.

Howell said: "It was good to finally get a win against them. We should have beaten them in the cup."

It was the perfect start to an extended reign for McDermott, who signed a new three-year contract last week.

Howell added: "Brian's really pushing through the young London blokes, there's definitely been a big improvement in that area. I think everybody enjoys playing underneath him."

Quins RL chairman Keith Hogg was also delighted to tie McDermott down to three more years.

He said: "Brian's reputation as one of the bright young coaching talents in British rugby league is welldeserved.

"He constantly demonstrates fantastic commitment to Quins and the sport in general in London and the southeast. His appointment is a key step for the development of our club."

Meanwhile, McDermott has not been the only one putting pen to paper.

Jon Wells, who has been with the club since its London Broncos days, has agreed a contract extension which will see him stay with Quins until 2010.

The 29-year-old, who has played in every Super League season since it began in 1996, has missed the last two games with a medial ligament tear.

He said: "I can see a work in progress here I am very excited about, and I'm happy to finish my career here. We're a club with real ambitions."

McDermott added: "Every team needs a nucleus, and Jon has been that for us for a few years now."