If thats the case............

Would it make sense that NRL clubs were affiliated to a particular SL club. Then if they have a young talent who they arent ready to blood in the first team just yet, but can see that he has real potential they could 'loan' him to their SL club for a season or two. Thus giving him the experience he requires plus proving he has what it takes, also the SL club could well get a real talent at a vastly reduced cost?!

Obviously it wouldn't be as simple as that with contracts and loan periods etc. But its just an idea....

I know id love to have all british players but the fact that atm we dont, and wont for some time, it makes it a bit better imo that we dont rely as heavily on imports as others

But the clubs who have more are 'smaller' clubs and for whatever reason (haven't been in the top flight long, bigger clubs 'stealing' players) have to rely on them.

I do think this will be the way forward in the coming years, SL clubs will have to gamble more on younger players. The only issue is then why not take the chance on british youngsters? Plus they younger players in the NRL won't be able to command the bigger salaries.

There will always be a bunch of 26-32 years olds always willing to come over though.

Because, for the most part, they're nowhere near as good!

There's some great amateur clubs in England, but the route from being a promising junior to becoming a professional is incomparable to what it is in Australia.

I dont think there was any mention of an increase to the overseas spots available was there? I would rather see a younger lad with something to prove, rather then a old hasbeen with dodgy knees looking to top up his pension.

It would be great to see SL clubs with only brits in the squad but that is never going to happen! The fact is if there is a surplus in the NRL, NSW cups etc so why not tap into it?

I do think something should be done though to award clubs that field players developed by their youth system (if there isn't one already??), ie the first £30k of a player (developed by the clubs youth system) wages does not count on the cap, (I think this is what they do in union and read this in another thread posted by someone else).