Ive got to say what a great defensive performance from young stevie ward today for a teenager a great performance for such a yound lad in his first challenge cup match never mind first semi-final just thought he deserved a mention

I think Ward is a fine prospect and has been well handled by the coaches and not over played. He has proven now that he has made the jump to first team squad standard and as such will learn more in the business end of our season than on some junior tour. I am sure he will have plenty more international opportunities to come.

Two words - Richard Gunn.

Similar things were said at a similar age.

There's a long way to go in Ward's career and no guarantees of putting on a senior international jersey.

marcus v another richard gunn ?

Agree 100% with Gotcha.

I'm sure a few years down the line he won't particularly regret not going on a tour with a bunch of young lads, many of whom will have dropped completely off the radar by then, just like they always do.

An academy tour will not be the making of this lad, the academy international side is in no way a pathway to senior rep honours. If he's good enough he'll make it for himself, and performing on a big stage like the Challenge Cup final is the perfect way to test himself. He'll gain more out of that than the lads going to Australia.