U18's season starts tonight against Saints

Not sure what the injury situation is, but suprised at the team selected

Think we'l struggle but hopefully proved wrong

Are you watching it Matts?

Im not Jim, thankfully

To be honest, im becoming a bit frustrated with our youth setup, recruitment of talent is top notch, but at some point that needs nurtured into developing a winning mentality...our reserves and Academy always seem to be the dumbest team on the pitch, to the point that im almost suprised when either team win a game these days...especially against decent opposition

To be fair iv said previously, our top age academy are not a great group talent wise, expected them to lose tonight..would just be nice if they suprised you now and again...from what im hearing, its the familiar story of plenty stupid errors and not being able to defend them, much like the reserves on saturday

We don’t seem to adapt too well to the new tackle rules somehow.

Like you said vaguely odd selection though, several names missing that I’d have expected to see.

Im maybe being a little harsh...but i do feel we dont put enough emphasis on the importance of winning at this age.

It may be old school thinking but
You knew the goldens were ready for the next step..because they went out and dismantled everyone at academy level. While you see the talent in our system now, the results dont suggest theres a group of players superior to their peers

But like i say, im maybe being too harsh, next year will be more of an indicator...the first year academy group are exceptionaly talented, when they're more mature 2nd years, who will be supported by 3 or 4 excellent talents from this years scholorship...if they are not a dominant side then somthings gone wrong in their development

In amongst all the gloom it's great to see the reserves get a win at Saints.

Absolutely, scholarship got a win against Hull FC this week too

Indeed it was Arthur, good win aswel, in that, on paper, we looked to have a good team out, and probably stronger than the Saints line up, but too often recently, we dont show that on the field at this level.

Was good to see them go away to Saints, and get the job done. Sinfield with another trademark try, he should be putting pressure on Frawley before long if they both continue their respective starts to the season.

Scholarship is the one constant at the club, always well coached. Actually started pretty poorly against Hull, who should be a decent side themselves, but hit their straps in the second half and put them away comfortably

You just have to hope that the club really does have faith in Sinfield as the future and that Frawley is only a stop gap until Sinfield is ready.
We really don't want to have to scour the market for a 7 again in the next couple of years.

That’s up to Jack to improve and take the opportunity - his D has been very suspect at open age so far. If he can strengthen up and get his technique right he has a lot of ability.

It's also down to the clubs ability to coach and develop talent

Nail on head

How highly do you rate Mark Butterill Matt?
He seems to be a coach that consistently delivers the scholarship players to the older academy groups year on year, but he never gets a chance to coach the older groups or move up the coaching ladder.
IMO he should be the head of the academy structure at the club.

Rate him massively Biff, think he's an excellent coach

Dont know his personal circumstances so not sure if he would want it, but for me, the more time our young players are coached by him, the better off the club and the players would be.

Imo, far too often over the last several year, our Scholarship players look better drilled and more intelligent rugby players at 16, than they do in our Academy at 18, despite the scholarship spending a fraction of the time together

A very good assessment that Matt