Maybe we can limit the number of players in the U19's eg six 16 year olds, six 17 year olds and five 18 year olds.

It's still a big dilution of the playing pool though.

You'd know all about that wouldn't you!!

Another positive insightful input from you.

You're in no position to lecture anyone about positive posts. What's the matter do you not like people derailing your threads? You seem to revel in it normally!

I can only share Rogues' concerns from the original post on the Wigan board.

Seems ludicrous to me. I'm aware of the problems with the U18's competition but this is not the answer surely. A three year gap in the age groups at a critical stage in players development is insane! If it is down to cost-cutting then good on the teams that are against it.

Are these changes actually happening or are they just proposals at present? I read on the other thread that Saints and Warrington are dead against it. Any word on how Wigan feel about this?

I haven't heard anything about Wigans stance.
I heard about the proposed merging of the Hull/HKR academies a few weeks back, and how that is going to work? Who will have the choice of player?

A whole layer appears to going to be taken out, not just players, but coaches, physios etc.

What happens to the players who are 2nd year U20's next year. What if they are on two year contracts?
They can't all go and play in the Championship. What about fringe 1st team players or players coming back from injury, surely the U19's comp isn't going to allow overage players playing against 16 year olds.

Far more questions than answers I'm afraid, I suppose we'll have to see what the proposed changes bring.

Agree with all your additional concerns too Rogues. Can't see how anyone with interests in youth development can be happy about these changes.

Why not extend the scholarship u16s to u17s giving them another 12 months of maturity to play in u19s ?

I'll play devils advocate.
You want to change the U20's to U19's?
The U18's to U17's?

Where are next years 20's and this years U20's going to go?

Where do the first team squad / returned injured players play?

Rogues , i don`t particularly want to change the existing structure for the academy's .I think if this turns out to be true Rugby Union will be doing a merry dance cherry picking our unproven talent at 16/17

I know. As I said I was playing devils advocate. I agree with your statement regarding Rugby Union, they must be clapping their hands.

It was ridiculous enough that the U18's didn't play all teams, i.e Wigan didn't play Wire but played Sheffield.

What I would have liked to have seen is what we had a few years ago at U18 level. A qualifying competition of say 6 to 8 rounds (Lancashire and Yorkshire) and then split the teams into two competitive divisions for the remainder of the season.

Wigan U16 team this year is probably the best club junior side I have ever seen, but would I really want them playing against 19 year olds next year on a regular basis, no. But if they don't where are they going to play? As you say Union clubs will be watching with interest.

I would have to agree with most of what Rogues has said here. Personally I feel quite disturbed by these proposals as they appear to be a 'levelling down' of all our clubs junior program, all in the name of keeping costs down. We are bound to reduce the number of talented juniors coming into the game, and surely this is one of our most important objectives ?

I am awaiting more information on how this will all work ( and hoping it was a pet plan of a certain RFL chairman who has now moved on), but it doesn't look good.

I would have to agree with most of what Rogues has said here. Personally I feel quite disturbed by these proposals as they appear to be a 'levelling down' of all our clubs junior program, all in the name of keeping costs down. We are bound to reduce the number of talented juniors coming into the game, and surely this is one of our most important objectives ?

I am awaiting more information on how this will all work ( and hoping it was a pet plan of a certain RFL chairman who has now moved on), but it doesn't look good.

I'm sure I read somewhere that the RFL were pulling the sport England money out of the academy set up. So I guess that's why they're planning a cheaper academy. It's a shocking decision in my opinion and the union threat is a real and genuine one. The switch to summer in the NWC junior and youth league has opened up the chance for union players to play league in the union off season. Which is a good thing on one hand as these lads boost playing numbers and may stick with league. The downside is that union scouts are turning up at youth and junior rugby league games to watch them.