Peter Canham begins his bid to emulate Jason Leonard on Monday.

The 16-year-old loose head prop begins a series of senior academy sessions at Harlequins.

He is among 15 young prospects from Hove who have been linked with the Premier League outfit.

Canham said: "I am looking forward to starting with Harlequins. I am ambitious in my rugby.

"At the moment Jason Leonard is in the first team and one day I hope to be playing in his position.

"I think the link will help me get there."

The Hove Park pupil expects to be joined by other newcomers Tom Howell, Mathew Slade and Ryan Storer for Monday's first coaching get together.

They will join James Canneaux, Matt Evans, Kit Barker and Alex Yeo for the session that will deal with senior, under-19s and under-21s Academy players.

The juniors, featuring Rob Smith, Ryan Smith, Tom Le Mehaute, Kiba Richards, Matt Card, Mark Grigg and John Hathaway, have been selected for the junior academy which began close to the Stoop last week.

Hove secretary Jamie Angus said: "It is an exciting time for the club. The link went reasonably well last year and we have nominated players to join in for this season who we think have potential.

"The link helps both clubs. Quins can spot any future stars while our players get the benefit of first class coaching at a Premier club. We are like a nursery for them and, although they do a little with Worthing, we are the main club they deal with.

"If our players don't make the grade as far as Quins are concerned we'll be of benefit to them because they will be turned into better players."

Angus revealed that the link is to extend to under-13s. He said: "Quins want to train them up so that when they join the academy the players will be up to speed."

Hove have produced several players who have played professionally including Alex King of Wasps and England, Joe El-Abd, who plays for Bath, and Alton Ozdemir who was at Quins.

But Angus said: "The difference now is that they've got a proper route to follow."