Again we lead the way

England Academy Squad v France at Bradford on 15th June
Connor Farrell Wigan Warriors
Dominic Speakman St Helens
George Williams Wigan Warriors
James Saltonstall Warrington Wolves
Joe Burgess Wigan Warriors
John Bateman Bradford Bulls
Jonathan Ford Salford City Reds
Jordan Baldwinson Leeds Rhinos
Jordan Harper Leeds Rhinos
Josh Johnson Huddersfield Giants
Lewis Tierney Wigan Warriors
Liam Sutcliffe Leeds Rhinos
Luke Thompson St Helens
Mark Percival St Helens
Rob Mulhern Leeds Rhinos
Ryan Hampshire Wigan Warriors
Ryan Sutton Wigan Warriors
Tom Gilmore Widnes Viking

Good to see two half-backs in there!

Rubbish Wigan

Just wondering if this info will be placed on the boards of some of the "heartland" clubs who are stealing an existence in SL.

My apologies... I should have congratulated all the guys for getting the gig... Well done chaps.

So chuffed for Connor - if you're reading this well done lad. He spends loads of his "spare" time, coaching my Jake's team, and he's bloody ace with those kids, they all look up to him. Ace role model as well as a great prospect!

It has to be asked, is he any relation to the former Wigan legend?

He's Liam Farrells brother.

Cousin to Andy and brother of Liam he certainly has some great genetics, I hope to see him wearing cherry and white in the future.

The England Academy touring team to Australia will be named on June 19, they will play two warm up games before two tests against the Australians.
Coach David Elliott is hoping Bateman, Currie & Ward are released by their clubs to tour.

I was going to say, it's the same few clubs producing all the talent.

Credit to Warrington - they've really stepped up their academy in recent years. Long may it continue (even if I really don't like them, it can only be good for the game!).

Hopefully Hull FC's new owner(s) follow through on their plans to improve their academy. They should be producing so much more in that captive market.

So which are these "heartland" clubs?

If the cap fits...............

Are you stupidly suggesting Warrington?

Paranoid?

No.

Stupid? Or are you going to answer the simple query I made?

You seem to be obsessed with this board...

I wouldn't say so but I do have more than a passing interest and knowledge in academy rugby so when I see a comment like your's made in such a condescending manner I will take exception to it. The fact that you are not willing to back it up suggests to me that in truth you don't know anything about the subject.

Anyway back on topic (and apologies to others for the above few posts) I do wonder with the team selection whether there is an element of "testing" things out after the two disappointing results at Easter against the French. It certainly isn't the strongest selection with the two best available players in Ward and Currie not selected yet it cannot be considered a "possibles" team due to the presence of Bateman and Hampshire amongst others.

Perhaps it is a case of Currie and Ward not being released for the tour due to potential first team duties, including the challenge cup semi-final, or perhaps Currie has been bumped-up to the England Knights squad for that weekend with a view to next years world cup.

He is obsessed with this board, I think most Wire fans on this forum talk about how Lee Briers is the best player of all time and express their biased hatred towards any thing Wigan based.

Well, lets just take a look at the clubs which have supplied no youngsters. I'm sure you know exactly to whom i refer, and you are just being obtuse. You took it to be a slight against Warrington, which it was not, made yourself look a little silly, and continued to dig.

Ok, you're right I'm wrong. Everybody can see this from your clear and un-amibigious responses above, it was me bing obtuse. Once Trent "Ben Currie is from Wigan's Academy" Barrett came out in your support over academy rugby I was obvioulsy done for.


Well done to all the lads selected, where ever they are from. Hoepfully they can go on and get a result down-under in a couple of month's time. Without the likes of Ward and Currie in the team I suspect they will struggle to match recent results and performances against the Aussie schoolboys. This team looks too lightweight for me.

right, back to on topic....

rogues, how good do you rate the 6 and 7?

I think this team has been picked to make the final selection for austrailia with there being no ward currie yates ect i think it is wrong and should play the strongest team when playing for your country

Most Warrington fans are. They seem to be obsessed with all the bigger clubs.