Am sure this is all true. Whilst I'd shed no tears if DR was abolished, I do think Leeds and Fev have made it work especially well for both clubs, and have used the system far more effectively than most.

The experience Newman got at Fev prior to his 1st team breakthrough at Leeds was invaluable, and I'd say the situation with Alex Sutcliffe this year has also been a big benefit for both parties. For mem, Sutcliffe is always going to fall slightly short of being a SL centre at a club with Leeds' ambitions, he just doesn't have the flexibility of movement that is needed to be high-class at that position, but as he fills out (he's still only 20) he might develop into a SL-quality edge back row.

Although he has played left centre for Fev this year the angles he is being asked to run are pretty similar to those that an edge back row would run, in order to play to his strengths, and he has the benefit of a talented half on his side of the field in Dane Chisholm to run those angles off. I think he's another year off being SL-ready, but then again I thought that about Newman at the start of this year.

I’m sure you’re correct re. Sutcliffe but anyone breaking
into the Leeds back row over the next few years is going to have to be exceptional. Merrin, Ward, Martin, Mellor, Trout, Walters, L Sutcliffe, Smith to get past as well as competing with some new lads coming up. Going to be tough.

Surely L Sutcliffe doesn't fit into that group - to me he is a back up centre

That would mean Sutcliffe will spend time in reserves then.

Id put Muzzy ahead of L.Sutcliffe & Smith.

There is no chance Liam Sutcliffe will be in the reserves.

Everyone says we have the best group of youngsters for ages but they aren't as good as Wigan and Saints. Still much work to do me thinks?

Don’t go too much on the Academy results mate, Leeds’ full side who technically qualify for this age group would be a handful. The side has been chopped and changed throughout the season to better develop the more talented lads and have a look at the squad players -
we don’t quite have the strength in depth to get over the other better sides that being the case.

Wigan and Saints have some great prospects themselves too of course, both are very good sides.

This...McCllelland, Newman, Broadbent, Mustapha, Holroyd and Johnson were all eligible and all missing against Saints, Jack Walker only misses out on still being academy eligible by a matter of days. We'v got some great fantastic talent at the club, the good thing is...So do Saints and Wigan especially, a couple of other teams like Huddersfield aswel. The More talent in the country the better and its the best its been in the UK for a long time imo.

Yep totally. Despite some doom and gloom as per, there is a really athletic and talented bunch of lads coming through across the comp at the moment, and a fair few are being given a chance at first grade too.

I have no concerns at all about our youth development in terms of the quality coming through now - we don’t need to win the academy championship every year, but we do need to identify just a couple of potential first graders.

Andrew Stewart is another one I noticed from the younger age group actually - he plays aggressive and has some ability from what I’ve seen (centre).

Since when has Team results or other Clubs jnrs defined the quality of our jnrs?
Mustapha Johnson Holroyd Trout Walters Broadbent Newman have all been taken out of our u19's either for loan or injury or 1st team in Newmans case & every one of them as good as their ST's or Wigan counterparts.
There are also plenty of potential future stars in the 16's & 15's.
When England beat the Ausdie schoolboys 7 of that squad were Leeds players so when we say we have the group in a long time its true.

Anybody know anything about us signing Corey Hall, the Yorkshire Academy outside back, from Wigan? Iv heard nothing about it, but In todays England Academy squad announcement, its got him down as a Leeds Rhinos player, his own twitter account also says Leeds Rhinos.

He was very highly regarded at Wakefield before moving to Wigans Academy.

Also...Rhian Rowley, Joe Burton, Iwen Stephens and Liam Tindall have been selected in the squad.

Interesting

Just to follow up on the corey Hall point...Wigans official site only mention Hanley and Rushton as there players selected in there piece on the England Academy squad and also have Hall down as a Leeds player. Leeds official site dosnt mention Hall, but congratulates the other 4.

In summary....Wigans official site, The RFLs official site and Halls twitter account, all have him as a Leeds player.

Seems to be some legs to it.

Not heard a thing, and think a mistake, but my lad just pointed out your post to me, as only last night I was saying how I wish Leeds would sign that Corey Hall for a bit of comp, as he is going to be yet another quality winger coming through at Wigan