Like Edgell but where is he going to come thru at Leeds? Wont be at 1 or 6. Same with most of these lads. Gatus is highly fancied and a very good runner but will he make it at Leeds?

Covid is going to impact RL for many years, the kids just arent there anymore, which puts Leeds in a strong position going forward cos we have kids already in the 1st team squad. The fact that clubs are asking players to play on amateur deals now shows the level of commitment to the junior game at a time when it should be more important than ever.

Our 16s and 17s went unbeaten last year but the standard was dreadful and its only going to get worse. Our 16s and 17s played poorly and won most games comfortably.

The problems / challenges at youth level are probably indicative of the wider strategic problems of the whole game. There are some positive signs - I think the progress of York is great, it's a decent catchment area with nice facilities and good transport links. Far easier to grow the game in areas adjacent to where it already exists.

Also good that the French game is coming along - funny how the South of France situation in some ways mirrors the North of England.

We need that unified governance and strategy across the whole sport.

Im a bit more optimistic, next years u16's group are much better than this years u16's were, theres a handful of very good players at Leeds and a few very good ones that went elsewhere.

Watching the Yorkshire youth leagues the talents still there imo, not as many playing the game on the whole unfortunately, but the good players are are still playing. Theres some dreadful coaching but cant be too critical of anyone who gives up there spare time.

Regarding making it at Leeds, its too early to write players off or pencil players in imo, these lads are 16 and 17, loads can change at first team level and in there development in the next few year that provides an oppurtunity. Right now they're the elite among there peers in most these lads cases so for now they just need to continue doing what they're doing and working hard.

Happy with these signings, now just waiting to see what our next Scholorship intake looks like.

Fair points. Im not as optimistic i have to say.

It might well be the case that most of the top talent does still find its way into the game, even if we have fewer participants overall. The girls’ game seems to be doing well.

Personally I’ve been really pleased over the last few years. Gannon, Sinfield, Edwards, Simpson all look terrific prospects and there are others in the teenager class.

I'm sure Edwards will get a few chances this coming season maybe even more if we our centres suffer long injuries.

I hope he kicks on. Coming through the ranks he looked head and shoulders above just about everyone else, but it’s that physical development required to make it at elite level too…

He is very good at busting the line, even in quite heavy traffic. Would be great to see more of him.

He looks like he's put some size on this last season. If he didn't get his chance at centre i would no hesitation playing him on the wing if needed.

I think the fact that Leeds, Saint and Wigan have maxed out (7) on their non fed quota trained players for next season says a lot?

Dont think it says anything regarding the current standard of the 16's / 17's and whats to come in future years. Says more about the standard of youth in our systems 5,6,7 year ago if anything.

All 3 of these sides have plenty of young players in their first team squads and need to be supplemented by experienced players from overseas
( Some who were also under contract too) in order to make them competitive or even successful at present

IMO the most interesting thing is which of these clubs can produce the largest number of the best junior talent in the country and who will also be good enough make it into the first team at these clubs that will ultimately decide who will be most successful over the next decade


How confident are you with your current crop of young players at Wigan Rogues ?
Who should we look out for ?


I am very confident that the Rhinos currently have the most talented pool of home grown players within the club which will ultimately be the nucleus of our starting squad for the next decade or so

I'm not sure about Saints and Wigan but I think we have filled our overseas quota pretty much every season, even during the golden generation. Some have come in mid season such as Lauititi, but it is usually full. I don't think that it is a reflection on our youth development.

I would say from the ones you may not have seen Matty Nicholson, Alex Sutton and Brad O'Neill.
At the younger end, Logan Astley, Zach Eckersley, Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba and Toby Brannan.

In truth it's so hard to judge because of the pandemic over the last two years as I've only seen the odd games live and had to watch on Wigan tv or highlights from other clubs sites.

Matty Nicholson is a very good player, him and pierce paul could be an excellent 2nd row pair in a couple of year

In the last game of the academy season Nicholson played at #13 and was m.o.m. by some distance. He appears to also have developed his ball handling skills, something I hadn't noticed before. I assume he must have been working with Sean O'loughlin on that facet of his game.

We're actually well positioned for young back row forwards coming through if you add in the likes of Shorrocks, Smithies, Pierce-Paul and McDonnell but you never know how that next step will go and it will be almost impossible in reality to keep them all.

Yes Smithies is very good but a bit too grubby sometimes. I like Pierce-Paul, he looks a real prospect.

I'm hoping our Sam Walters will kick on next year, physically he could make himself unplayable, we just need to see that development and mentality shine through.

Think he had a rough year for personal reasons in 2021, let's hope he can get a really good pre-season behind him and push on now. Gannon has barged him this season.

My only worry about Sam Walters is if he can be mean enough, single minded enough, tough enough, to fullfil his physical potential.

I think Gannon is deservedly well in front of Walters now. Hope he can kick on next season.

Hopefully playing every week next season in the reserves Walters will kick on and fulfill his huge potential.

Will dual reg be back next year? That would suit Walters better than reserve grade.

He had issues during pre season last year but slipped backwards. Physicality is slways going to be Sam's issue. Hes got the talent but has to start showing it.

It looked like his D which was the main issue last season.

I suppose the likes of Walters, Tindall, O’Connor, Muizz still have time on their side.

O'Connor and Muizz off contract 2022 very big year for them.

I would say his defence was his main issue but he also needs to get himself more involved in attack.He often last season looked off the pace that could be be down to playing one week then missing five.As i said earlier playing each week should improve his all round game.

It really is one of the most interesting seasons in prospect next year.

Myler. Dwyer, Martin, Gale, Mellor, Sutcliffe, Austin, Briscoe all with a point to prove.

Johnson, Broadbent, Gannon, Holroyd I’m confident will be better next season.

O’Connor, Muizz, Walters, Edwards, Tindall all pushing for a place around first grade.

Bentley will want to have a big year and hopefully so will Fusitu’a.

Competition for places hasn’t been this hot for a very long time. With a new voice around the place for pre-season it’ll be interesting to see how the players dig in.

Totally agree. Just got round to renewing my season ticket and can honestly say I haven't looked forward to season so much for at least a dozen years.