Squad for Gateshead:
Sam Latus, Chris Heil, Alex Brown, Matty Beharrell, Keal Carlile, Jordan Cox, Rhys Lovegrove, Omari Caro, Danny Kelso, Matty Marsh, Evarn Tuimavave, James Green, Tyla Hepi, George Griffin, Sonny Esslemont, Aaron Ollett, Ryan Devaney, Josh Guzdek, Connor Robinson, Steven Holker

No real surprise to see its mainly a reserve-grade line-up but it does have a few big hitters in there - Cox, Lovegrove and Tui.

My guess at the line-up is:

Guzdek;
Brown, Heil, Latus, Caro;
Beharrell, Marsh/Robinson
Tui, Carlile, Green;
Cox, Griffin;
Lovegrove;
Bench: Green, Esslemont, Ollett, , Devaney (prop), Hepi, Kelso(full back), Holker (loose)

Gives the youngsters a shot of a first team place in the next few games if they impress & a chance to ease the coaching & backroom staff into the season, at least it is the first green shoots of the new rugby season, GREAT!

No Rich Beaumont or Adam Walker in the squad. I wonder if that makes them early favourites for the props jerseys against Catalans? There was talk of Beaumont going out on loan to Halifax so i guess that may be the case with him.

Good to see 3 under 18s in there, I hope they go well.

I make it 6 under 18s in the squad including Tom Sullivan who isnt listed but i am told is playing.

Holker.
Robinson.
Devaney
Sullivan.
Gudzek.
Marsh.


Could be wrong.

Your probably right, I am only familiar with 3 of the names from that age group, however many there are it is good & will give them some valuable experience.

Will be great for their development. A big pat on the back for Martin Dunn and his team that we are now able to turn out youngsters in these fixtures. I reckon that Steve Holker will be our youngest first teamer since John Wilkin.

You maybe right, however I remember thinking Ryan Devaney had something special, and Matty Marsh had a sublime step, it will be interesting to see if they can make the step up.

paul-t ......is go with beharall scrum half and mash off half as both are naturals in those positions

Holker has a bit of paul wellends in him .....in looks .....good fullback but likes to play loose forward ........was a little suprised that Hallet is not in the squad though

The academy side we have has some real strength in depth and is really exciting for the future of the club.

The person who mentioned Holker being very Wellens like is spot on. Hes a very intelligent player as well.

I'm glad to see the young players getting this kind of game time and experience - my understanding is that Hallett isn't in the side as he only returned from Australia last week so prob still jet lagged, I presume on some training regime down under.

Think the academy would have been stronger but as there is no under 20's anymore players like Sheriff and Peterson had nowhere to play which is a real shame IMO

That's what dual reg is for.

Are we dual reg with anyone yet?

Workington?

Quote ="Sheldon"Workington?'" Widnes www.superleaguefans.com/widnes-v ... -town.html which makes more sense geographically. We either missed the boat or are taking a different approach. There'll possibly be chances to place the odd player with the bigger Yorkshire Championship teams who wanted to stand alone, plus I don't think the partnerships have to be exclusive. On the other hand, iirc, each Championship team only has so many dual-reg places. ATEOD, there weren't enough Championship teams to go around. Maybe Gateshead in Championship 1, but the jump to SL standard is all the bigger then.

Quote ="Sheldon"Workington?'" Widnes www.superleaguefans.com/widnes-v ... -town.html which makes more sense geographically. We either missed the boat or are taking a different approach. There'll possibly be chances to place the odd player with the bigger Yorkshire Championship teams who wanted to stand alone, plus I don't think the partnerships have to be exclusive. On the other hand, iirc, each Championship team only has so many dual-reg places. ATEOD, there weren't enough Championship teams to go around. Maybe Gateshead in Championship 1, but the jump to SL standard is all the bigger then.

Rumours afoot that our link up will be with Gateshead.

I've heard rumours a nose.

what happened to kristian bell i saw him in a friendly a couple of seasons ago at halifax and thought he looked great he controlled the game that day

Hallett has only just got back from a long holiday visiting his brother in Australia so hasn't really had much of a pre-season. Can't see him breaking in to the first team this season but he is a promising player. If his growth is as good as someone like Charnley and our own Gleeson then I can see great things in him but he knows there is a long way to go to get anywhere near those two just yet.

I believes he was released by club hes gone backwards in his development imo but im more than happy to be corrected if this not the case.

Released by the club and has now decided to pack the game in.

shame that i thought something must have gone wrong with him not getting a look in in the last couple of seasons even in the 20s

Thats a real shame, i saw him play in Australia last January and i thought he was the best player for Hull KR by a mile and i know Wests Tigers thought so too.

Here's a two minute clip of the match: tyneandwear.sky.com/rugby/video/52035

Here's a two minute clip of the match: tyneandwear.sky.com/rugby/video/52035