Whilst Leeds clearly haven't done that well in recent years, the idea that somehow we've let any number of potential superstars go is rose-tinted viewing of juniors in the extreme. There isn't a single junior who we've let go in the last decade who has gone on to be world class, very few have become SL stars (I'm being generous here) and of those most have developed much later like Gale. If anything the evidence really says they weren't as good as some thought in the first place. If they were that good I'd fully expect a kid dumped at 19 to be able to kick on without being at Leeds.

In the past I could point to the likes of Derryck Fox, Kevin Ward, Schofield, even Ellery Hanley who could have been signed as juniors and you could genuinely regret we didn't sign them. There isn't a single player in that class that Leeds let go as a junior in SL from the last decade. Like I say, you can give me all the views of how good some kid is at 15 or even 19. The fact that they don't become anything suggests they really just weren't that good.

I agree. Worrying isn't it.

Absolutely this.

George and Tom Burgess?

Completely agree.

Yours,

Vince Fawcett.

Indeed

Regards

Richard Gunn

Agree completely with this, also has the heart the size of a pea (Same as Hardaker) which isn't the kind of player that you want in your team when the going gets tough. When we was in trouble in that 2015 season he was the first to want out and seemed to stop wanting to play half way through the season - Very similar to the Hardaker situation, it was all good when Leeds where up there and he was getting things his own way (In fact id probably argue he was just as good at Leeds as he is now at cas) but was the first one to want out when the going got tough.. and after Leeds threw him lifeline after lifeline as well.

In terms of his time at Cas... Well he looks good playing off a quick play the ball with all the time in the world, comes up with the odd smart play, looks his average self in defence, in all honesty I cant believe he has been picked in that England squad. Lets see how he performs if he gets selected in against the Aussies.

No chance of that imo, Hodgson has the 9 shirt wrapped up. I would also have Clark as his bench rotation if we use one as he is more of an impact player than McShane and more suited to a 15 minute cameo but we will see how Bennett goes.

If Bennett picks on form Roby would be the England hooker

Hodgson is playing really well at the minute for Canberra who are charging late for a play off spot, he is bang in form from what i have seen. I agree on roby mind but he is wrong side of 30 now and bennett hasn't seen him first hand doubtful he figures at all imo but he would be in the squad for me. I think he will take Hodgson, Clark and Houghton which i wouldn't argue with.we don't have an issue at hooker.

I agree with you and suggest that the problem is not so much that we are not developing youngsters well enough at Leeds but perhaps it is because we are not recruiting the right ones.

However as other clubs are also having trouble producing genuine new class players it is more likely that the sport as a whole is not attracting enough of the right youngsters to our game.

For some time now RU offers better coaching set ups for juniors and also better prospects to progress into professional rugby. English RU now has a huge wealth of young talent coming through and therefore we have to take a serious look at our game as it no longer is the better form of rugby in the eyes of both the public and I would say young potential players too.

i don't particularly think we actually have to compete with union too much at junior level, the real problem for me is the amateur/junior side itself. there just seems to be too many clubs with great set ups, their own facilities that for the last 10 years have gone to the dogs. when kids see there older brothers cousins parents playing open age, they want to play RL as well they get dragged along to watch get the buzz and join the juniors,. around Castleford district there were dozens of cubs open age and juniors. there are hardly any anymore. there is only Loch lane in castleford got teams through the age groups and they have been struggling to get a side. theirs fryston ope age and panthers who have lost there open age teams. then there is only fev lions, rockware and thats it. there simply is not enough people playing the game at all age groups in the so called heartland areas. there are loads of football teams now as well, when 20 years ago there was hardly any specially grass roots junior teams. loads of people i know their kids play football not rugby.