Think we've been down this road before...

True

We all know that all will be fit when the Wire game is played - saints target the big games

Daniel Anderson and Mick Potter always said/say that they treat games against us as just another one, but it must a huge feeling of pride for their players that we can't beat them and they must target our games as you point out. Last season we played them with a host of their first picks missing but we still came up short
and makes me think that it's a confidence problem for us as much as pride for them.
Real difference is I suppose is that Saints know how to win these close games and we don't (yet).

Couldn't the same be said for Saints - Eastmond and Clough being comparable to Tomkins and Tomkins (and Myler and Harrison for Warrington). After that you are looking at a bunch of players such as Dixon, Ashurst, Foster, Dean, Emmitt, etc who but for injury would not have had a sniff at first grade. I wouldn't consider any of those would get a starting slot at a free from injury Wigan, or Warrington for that matter.

So was Charnock so you never know.

Who?

Don't worry we will learn who when he signs.

Two points there. First of all, if you're looking at Eastmond and Clough then you also need to include Roby and James Graham. Clough, Roby and Graham are similar ages with Eastmond and Wheeler that bit younger. Second, the point you made about Dixon, Ashurst, etc is valid to a degree in that they would not have played as many games as they have had it not been for injuries but it isn't true that they would not have had a 'sniff at first grade'. Potter was recruited specifically to integrate those exact young players into the first team. You may have noticed our lack of external recruitment of late but also our shedding of senior first team players? That was a deliberate policy by the club as last season we promoted seven of our (grand final winning) academy side, of which Dixon, Ashurst, Foster, Emmitt, Lomax, Armstrong, Ellis were all members. There is also Magennis, who is in the 19 for this weekend and who has played one match this season after 18 months out injured, but he is only 20. And it could be a debut for young Lee Gaskell this weekend, since we have no scrum half at all (the reserve, Jamie Ellis, is also injured). Gaskell has been promoted to the first team this season.

It was always the intention to integrate the best of these young players but injuries have ensured they have had far more game time than they would have. And almost all of them have shown real potential at SL level, which is pleasing.

I think a few SL clubs are working hard to bring through young players: Wigan, Warrington, Castleford, us and Leeds being the ones to stand out. (However, I think Leeds are not as up for it as the other clubs at present)

Look at Wigans starting pack against Catalan.

Coley aged 31

but then five players who have come through the academy.
McIlorum aged 22
Prescott aged 24
Joel Tomkins aged 23
Liam Farrell aged 19
Chris Tuson aged 20

That's great testimony to Wigans academy system

That's excellent, particularly as Mossop, Hansen and O'Loughlin also did.

The home grown rules will kick in for everybody when the dispensations retire and it will be good to see squads of 25 with 20 home federation players.

Warrington's half back in this seasons under 15's was Declan Patton, is it him ?

yes thats him

Beyond Tomkins I don't think any of the others would make our 17 and only Farrell out of the others would add to our squad (given realistic squad make-ups)

And add Mossop aged 21 and Hansen aged 24, or do you not think they would make your squad?

they probably would not make the squad as we have alot of forwards already with cover in each position

Not in the list of players you named. I'm not having a go at the quality of the players however which of the ones, if any, in the list do you think would add to Warrington's squad given who they would be replacing?

ps. Ignore stupid comment above as Mossop and Hansen would obviously make our squad.

no need to worry then when his dads one of the coaches at the wire, he will keep him on the p+b path to glory.

Thats what ive always known it as though, its nothing new the places named seem to be always the best at bringing out RL talent

Leeds are a big dissapointment lately with regard to their youth system, the U21's got thrashed again at the weekend again if i am correct.

So was Joe Mellors dad wasn't (isn't) he?

no he was stadium announcer and communiy officer

Yes, that's true.


They probably can't help their u20s cohort - perhaps they are just lacking in talent. However, I thought it was disappointing from a youth development POV that they signed that ageing barger Senior for another year instead of giving a young player/some young players (depending on their talent pool) a chance to integrate.

Saints have just offered 10 more youngsters contracts from a selection of amateur teams, not all St Helens based it has to be said! We seem to be nicking them from Widnes this season.

Our 19 for tomorrow's match is:

1. Paul Wellens, 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 5. Francis Meli, 8. Nick Fozzard, 10. James Graham, 11. Tony Puletua, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Chris Flannery, 14. James Roby, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 16. Scott Moore, 17. Paul Clough, 18. Matty Ashurst, 19. Chris Dean, 24. Jonny Lomax, 25. Jake Emmitt, 28. Shaun Magennis, 32. Lee Gaskell.

Of those, Graham plus all the players from no.14 onwards are under 24, which I don't think is too bad. There are only four foreign players (Gidley, Meli, Flannery and Puletua) and of the rest Wello, Graham, Roby, Moore, Clough, Ashurst, Dean, Lomax, Emmitt, Magennis and Gaskell all came through our academy system (and I think most, if not all, are actually St Helens lads).

Meh, we have Leatherbarrow so it's reet.

My younger Bro got a friend who plays for Wire under 15's (i think) Ben Currie. Big kid for a 15 year old (bigger than me)

weve also got a lad on the wing whos one of the fastest kids ive ever seen in the u15s lewis mcquillan.