Agree... The problem is not the kids, it's the clubs, lack of good structures and quality coaches for various disciplines throughout the ranks.

I wouldn't be surprised if some clubs are just training on a a Tuesday and Thursday night... ok I would be, but you get the point...

Look at the difference that MM has made, the appointment of specialist conditioning staff (Bitcon) etc, etc...

three points here-:
1 Who could afford to fund it?
2 Do you think they would come back? (would you)
3 We need to improve the coaching/management of the resources available over here, what happens to the other also rans who don't get to go over to Oz

1) The RFL, maybe a young player exchange would also be good idea, (we are only talking about one player a year going over there from each club) Each club should partner with an Aussie club. IF the Aussies are serious about International RL they should help with that funding.

2) Of course it's a risk, but one worth taking IMO. The contracts should be written so that they have to come back, if not a transfer fee would be applicable.

3) I agree on the coaching resources part, we should be sending our young coaches to work alongside the likes of Bellamy, Bennett etc.
I'm only looking at "elite" players initially, the best one from each Superleague club. To EARN that scholarship they have to strive to be the best at their particular club.

Basically the International committee (and clubs) have to decide if they want to fully support International RL.
As I've said many many times before I would take a World Cup win or series win against the Aussies over a clubs Superleague win, but I know I'm in the minority on that.

1) Our academy / U20's competition is very poor. The standard across the teams does not prepare younger players for high intensity top quality consistent performance. All our best young players are brought up in an environment where making mistakes or 'going through the motions' goes unpunished. Not the sort of preparation you need for top flight rugby.

The end result is that only those with outstanding 'freakish' ability really shine (eastmond, Sam). What we need is those with only 'good' ability have to up their game so they have to consistently play well in the reserves - and when the come up to Sl level we will have far more players ready to integrate rather than weaken the standards of the comp.

Too many teams with too many poor players coached badly.

Precisely the point I have been making for years.
In the last three years Wigan have won the reserve / academy Grand Finals. In that time they have only lost 10 games and amassed a points difference of around 1500.

Their closest rivals have been Saints but this season just gone Wigan played them three times and beat them three times with an aggregate score of 148 - 68.

The competition isn't going to improve any time soon either.

We've seen with Wigan this (and last) year that some pretty good, young players aren't being tested enough in the U20s and have had to go out on loan to other Super League Clubs in order to get their game improved. From memory in the last 18 months or so, we've had Charnley, Tuson, Mossop, Ainscough, Goulding and Davies (to Widnes) go out on loan to play at a competitive level.