I pretty much agree with that, dixon and ashurst won't make top players which is a shame as our backrow is pretty poor with ball in the hand.

Not seen enough of foster to comment on him but eastmond, wheeler and lomax look very good.

NO im pointing out that we arent comparing like with like.

You cant compare the performance of a 23 year old with a 20 year old and Say x teams youngsters are better.

Similarly in reserve and academy games you sometimes have to look beyond the result and look at the respective age and experience of the two sides playing.

That's way too sensible a post for this thread.

And that's why I was surprised and delighted by yesterdays U18 and U20 results.
Ten U18's in the U20's and kids in the U18's I hadn't seen.

Some people won't agree at Wigan but Brian Noble has laid the foundations for what could be a very productive period.

For other clubs as they get shunted out...

It's a pity all these great players aren't getting a chance in the first team to continue the "development".

Oh ok, but reading both yours and Rogues comment's both sides fielded numerous players in the under 20's who also qualify for the under 18's. Saints to my knowledge fielded no players with first team experience, while Wigan fielded only one, ala Karl Pryce.

The only players in the Wigan squad aged over 20 were Pryce and Veivers, Saints may have also fielded some players 20 years or older I don't know. What I would say is both those sides who took to the field on Saturday were pretty even and comparable, yet one side ran out convincing winners.

But I think most of the Wigan players were born a few days earlier than there Saint's counterparts, so obviously there age and maturity won them the game.

The reality of the youth system is that it should be about development. However, if only a few clubs are producing "teams" of the required standard then it becomes difficult to know at what stage the kids actually are, because they are not getting tested week on week.

At the end of this year the Aussie schools (U18?) are coming over. Then we may get a pointer as to what level of the likes of Rhys Evans, Lee Gaskell, Ian Thornley etc are at.

I'm sure "the eclipse" should he read this will give us a far better insight into what we are likely to face.

Carl Forster and Gaskell are the 2 standouts from Saints.No one else of note really from saints.

Carl Forster is superb and could be another James Graham imo. I keep saying it but look out for our U15's this year.

Is Carl Forster the hooker or am I getting mixed up with another Carl? If it is then he didn't impress me much last year but he may have been playing under age.

No, hes a backrower but can play anywhere in the forwards, but hes never played hooker. Hes a fantastic prospect and the penrith coach said hes the best british player of that age group he has seen for years.

Im sure he will be a wigan fan though eh rogues

I'm amazed at the number of people who are ALREADY writing off Dixon and Ashurst. Look, ANY forward who is competitive at SL level BEFORE he reaches his final growth phase (depending on the player - somewhere between 21 and early 24) is going to be a good SL player.

That final phase - when the player seems to "fill out" almost overnight - is essential and can add anywhere up to a stone and a half to a body frame. For instance, look at Scully before age 23 and after. The difference in power, explosiveness and yardage is practically black and white.

Right now both these kids are performing well. Indeed, they are even weighing in with a respectable number of tries and assists. But just wait till they fill out. The contrast will be prodigious.