Quote: Saint Shady "Watched a hell of a lot of junior and senior rugby over the years so this post interested me. Wigan are very strong at scholarship and every other team level, 1st team are current GF winners and now they have taken over from Saints u19s as the current GF winners two days ago beating Cas. They are well run from top to bottom especially in junior coaching, recruitment and facilities and are a strong draw to any juniors in the NW region and obviously beyond with the Siddall lads signing for them after their scholarship for the last 2 years.
Regarding our lads for Saints mentioned above I think we have some real gems!
Welsby is a better fullback than halfback IMO but can also do a good job at halfback which will help him in his fullback role joining the line, bringing others into play and his kicking game plus is good in open broken play. One for the future 1st team IMO and made his England debut in the 2nd game against France scoring 2 trys on the wing. Saints and Wigan offered him a scholarship, maybe others to? Came 3rd in last seasons NWC player of the year awards. Thankfully he has signed a 3 year contract with our club.
Simm is a back rower for Thatto, Saints and England (SQUAD number is 7 at Thatto but doesn't play that role, he plays loose forward). Again another for the future 1st team IMO whether it is in the back-row or centre where Saints have been dabbling with him recently. Physically strong in defence, doesnt miss many and probably the fastest back-row in the country and yes has an eye for the try line. Only forward in the England squad to play every minute of both games against France and scored the first try in the first game against France to set them on their way. Saints, Wigan and Warrington wanted him on their scholarship. Came 2nd in last seasons NWC player of the year awards. Again thankfully he has signed for our club on a 3 year contract.
Dodd is a good accomplished halfback at club and Saints with a good head on his shoulders, decent kicking game and running game. Not seen as much of this lad but very good when I have, again I think he is future 1st team material and I hope we keep him at Saints when the contract offers come in next season as I think more than Saints will be offering one.
So.....lots for these 3 to work on but with these 3 lads in our future ranks and hopefully more local lads alongside them I think the future looks bright.
Lets support these lads who obviously have access to these forums too and not say "over rated - golden boy - unreal" (Saints AND England coaches must see a lot in him!) they are hopefully, fingers crossed the future of our great club. Keep up the good work lads, I for one cant wait to get my season ticket in the future to watch you.'"
I've watched lots of junior rugby over the years myself and I 100% agree that jack welsby is a fullback. Imo he plays his best rugby at fullback. I think he's the pick of the bunch at saints u16s.
I don't agree with you on sim. I don't think he can make it. He s for some reason the golden boy. I think he's a good player in spells but I've seen him many times for a poor thatto team and he not been great. I'm not sure he's a backrow either. He been playing 7 for thatto this year. He s certainly got a eye for a try and reminds me of Chris joynt in the fact won't see him for most of the game but will score two tries.
Lewis dodd for me looks the part. He s fast with good step and makes breaks but it's his brain that impresses me. Not many 15yr olds have rugby brain or the kicking game that dodd has and he's ahead of his years in that respect.
