I'm guessing the club really must see something in him when we already have Newman, Broadbent, Edwards, Simpson, Hall in the system,

I quite like the look of Morgan - that's the kiss of death on his career now. He looks very skilful and quite nippy.

Looking forward to seeing more of these lads next year.

Other than Max Simpson who has a chance i cant really see any of the others breaking thru really. I know Agar likes Gatus a lot. Jack Johnson is a big forward whos decent.

Im afraid tho this could be the last half decent bunch recruited for some time.

Do you reckon we've had our purple patch mate? Be interesting to see what effect COVID has had on youth development - may well be a blip for a couple of years, I don't know.

You used to rate young Edgell didn't you?

If Morgan Gannon is the second coming of Morley, I reckon Simpson would be my Keith Senior.

I just think with such a young side in development, the club desperately needs a real high-quality pre-season. Whereas many clubs are in maintenance mode / combination-building with senior pros, our lads need the input and the hard yards in physical strengthening.

In fairness, we don't need a huge influx of young talent in the short-medium term, but we do need to keep tickover and not fall back into the dark days again. Obviously there needs to be the talent our there to find in the first place.

Like Edgell but where is he going to come thru at Leeds? Wont be at 1 or 6. Same with most of these lads. Gatus is highly fancied and a very good runner but will he make it at Leeds?

Covid is going to impact RL for many years, the kids just arent there anymore, which puts Leeds in a strong position going forward cos we have kids already in the 1st team squad. The fact that clubs are asking players to play on amateur deals now shows the level of commitment to the junior game at a time when it should be more important than ever.

Our 16s and 17s went unbeaten last year but the standard was dreadful and its only going to get worse. Our 16s and 17s played poorly and won most games comfortably.

The problems / challenges at youth level are probably indicative of the wider strategic problems of the whole game. There are some positive signs - I think the progress of York is great, it's a decent catchment area with nice facilities and good transport links. Far easier to grow the game in areas adjacent to where it already exists.

Also good that the French game is coming along - funny how the South of France situation in some ways mirrors the North of England.

We need that unified governance and strategy across the whole sport.

Im a bit more optimistic, next years u16's group are much better than this years u16's were, theres a handful of very good players at Leeds and a few very good ones that went elsewhere.

Watching the Yorkshire youth leagues the talents still there imo, not as many playing the game on the whole unfortunately, but the good players are are still playing. Theres some dreadful coaching but cant be too critical of anyone who gives up there spare time.

Regarding making it at Leeds, its too early to write players off or pencil players in imo, these lads are 16 and 17, loads can change at first team level and in there development in the next few year that provides an oppurtunity. Right now they're the elite among there peers in most these lads cases so for now they just need to continue doing what they're doing and working hard.

Happy with these signings, now just waiting to see what our next Scholorship intake looks like.

Fair points. Im not as optimistic i have to say.

It might well be the case that most of the top talent does still find its way into the game, even if we have fewer participants overall. The girls’ game seems to be doing well.

Personally I’ve been really pleased over the last few years. Gannon, Sinfield, Edwards, Simpson all look terrific prospects and there are others in the teenager class.

I'm sure Edwards will get a few chances this coming season maybe even more if we our centres suffer long injuries.

I hope he kicks on. Coming through the ranks he looked head and shoulders above just about everyone else, but it’s that physical development required to make it at elite level too…

He is very good at busting the line, even in quite heavy traffic. Would be great to see more of him.

He looks like he's put some size on this last season. If he didn't get his chance at centre i would no hesitation playing him on the wing if needed.

I think the fact that Leeds, Saint and Wigan have maxed out (7) on their non fed quota trained players for next season says a lot?

Dont think it says anything regarding the current standard of the 16's / 17's and whats to come in future years. Says more about the standard of youth in our systems 5,6,7 year ago if anything.

All 3 of these sides have plenty of young players in their first team squads and need to be supplemented by experienced players from overseas
( Some who were also under contract too) in order to make them competitive or even successful at present

IMO the most interesting thing is which of these clubs can produce the largest number of the best junior talent in the country and who will also be good enough make it into the first team at these clubs that will ultimately decide who will be most successful over the next decade


How confident are you with your current crop of young players at Wigan Rogues ?
Who should we look out for ?


I am very confident that the Rhinos currently have the most talented pool of home grown players within the club which will ultimately be the nucleus of our starting squad for the next decade or so

I'm not sure about Saints and Wigan but I think we have filled our overseas quota pretty much every season, even during the golden generation. Some have come in mid season such as Lauititi, but it is usually full. I don't think that it is a reflection on our youth development.