I think that this is a poor point. Saints have stolen a march on all other SL clubs by introducing these tours. I am convinced that your youngsters, like previous touring teams, will advance their rugby education by 12 months in a matter of weeks. Well done to Eamon McManus and Co. for having the foresight.

Your spot on. I think it's brilliant that saints do the academy tour. It gives the lads the chance to play at the highest level and to be full time players for their time away. Plus, in addition to our grade one status it's another reason for the top juniors to come to saints. I was just pointing out that there are agents looking to sign up British junior players with Aussie clubs.

Surely it would be a massive gamble for Aussie clubs to poach players of that age. They have yet to complete their education and uprooting them is going to be risky.

I think they'll be safe atm.

The secondary cap in aus has always been bigger than ours hasn't it?

Also I remember reading somewhere that Penrith alone scout 7000 young players a year - a few more wont matter!

Even if we do lose 1 or 2 to the Aussies, we probably gain 3x as many of the top youngsters signing for us for the aus trip and the experience

I understand your point of view but that has not happened in the past. Mind you, the mere pittance paid to youngsters in SL could have a bearing on that in the future. Good luck and well done to all those involved in the trip.

The Dragons have named a strong team for the game tomorow v St Helens. They have an Australian u18 player in the backrow, SG ball player of the year in the centres and most of the others have played at a high level.
Tough game first up for your boys, looking forward to a big day tomorrow, The Australian WC squad are having their final training run before leaving for England then the Junior Kangaroos play the Junior Kiwis in a test match.
After its St Helens v St George Dragons.

They can't be looking forward to this, it's about 36 degrees and windy, awful conditions for RL

60-14 to St George

I've seen 2 scores. 36-10 and 60-14. I've read on twitter it was 36-10 at full time but, they played an extra 30 mins to put the youngest players on. Although, it's disappointing to lose. It isn't as bad as 60-14.

Poor day all round for St Helens, beaten by a bigger, stronger team played in 3 x 30 minute thirds.
A major problem for Sts was so many injuries, the hooker Aaron Smith went off after about 10 minutes followed by Dave Hewitt 5minutes later.
Lewis Sheridan & Jonah Cunningham also came off injured

St George were physically way more advanced but i believe most of your players were the u/16 team.
Ricky Bailey look like he could be a real star and i thought Danny Richardson look like he had a bit of class about him.

Thanks for the info. The whole squad is a mixture of the u16s team and the youngest players from the u19s team. So there will have been players playing with each other for the first time.

Hopefully they will gell and get better as the tour goes on.

Are you sure about Lewis Sheridan? I thought he left Saints last year.

Dissapointing but Ricky Bailey will be a top player. Was playing for England RU U15's 18 months ago.

Quote: saint87 " Are you sure about Lewis Sheridan? I thought he left Saints last year.'" Just heard it was Lewis Fairhurst who went off with a hand injury. There's pics from the game on www.ourfootyteam.com There's some big kids in that St George team.

Quote: saint87 " Are you sure about Lewis Sheridan? I thought he left Saints last year.'" Just heard it was Lewis Fairhurst who went off with a hand injury. There's pics from the game on www.ourfootyteam.com There's some big kids in that St George team.

What position is Bailey?

Do you think he'll stay at Saints or go back to Rugby Union?