You must have a huge spoon

Why is that? I mean, why isn't it a good idea for a young player to get as much first grade experience as possible? I don't understand why it isn't wise? (Genuine confusion here! Ignorance of coaching teenage lads in rugby league in undisguised evidence!)

They run the risk of burning out as their levels of fitness are not comparible to an experienced professional, they run the risk of injuries etc. It's always best with young players to drop them in and out rather than make them a permanent fixture. Look what's happened to Fielden.

I'm not sure about fitness levels they could well be similar, but youngsters are still physically growing. It's wise to be careful with them.

Don't buy into this really.

If they are good enough, they are old enough and should be played.

Its been the way with every great player I can think of.

Look at Cunningham and the Legend Murphy

Murphy played consistently from 17 in a far more dangerous age of RL did he not?

Cunningham from what I recall was basically a first teamer every week from his debut?

I just think we should be hiding players due to their age. The Aussies don't do it and we are continuously praising these phenomenal talents playing for Australia at such a young age. We don't seem to grasp if these kids were British they'd still be playing A team rugby to 'protect' them. Its complete nonsense.

There are the odd freaks such as Burgess, Farrell and KC who are massive at the age of 17 and can physically cope. The game was alot different in the 60's to what it is now.

if we had a murphy,connolly or cunningham in our junior ranks i would say play them every week.but we havent.we have a good bunch of kids who will do our club proud over the years to come if we are sensible with them.
playing them every week and running the risk of burn out will do them no good at all.
murphys aren't born everyday,only once a generation,unfortunetly

Perhaps, but even he has already had corrective surgery because because of heavy wear and tear.

Cunningham is just a freak.
Sculthorpe, Farrell, Radlinski, all bodies ruined by their late 20's, Sam burgess already has had shoulder reconstruction. Players who are brilliant from a young age generally have their careers ended early. This is due in no small part to playing internationals after a hard season and so not enough down time.
Introduce the younger lads gradually.
In our case Kyle Eastmond already seems injury prone.

This board are past masters on saying and doing the right thing with regards to employment.

I can imagine a scenario like this.

Given a warning perhaps for the visa situation.

Reading between the lines of the last press release final warnings and termination by not honouring terms on the contract ( training, contact and attendance)

I expect a millward type statement from the board when this happens.

The haters will have more ammo and the apologists will find it hard to back him with a local lad in reserve if his performance isn't up to scratch.

I`d be amazed if he comes back to saints.

He isn't coming back because of the ridiculous scapegoating you brain dead idiots gave him.

He spends every day in fear for his life, always in disguise, and IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!!

Farrell didn't play his first game of Rugby Union until he was 31.

Well not quite true, he did play for Wigan v Bath at Twickenham a few years earlier.