Ironically, I was explicitly told by a players' relative and separately someone in the press at the London game [I think] that - at the time - a few players didn't quite see eye to eye with Cummins, one being Sammut and the other L'Estrange. And that Heath wouldn't be given the captaincy either, joint or otherwise.

I also duly used my best forum etiquette and dumped it on here asap! (Early September, I'm unsure which thread though)

Played against your lad once a couple of years ago. Came across as a bit arrogant BUT I strongly believe that it was a ploy to put us off our game and get involved aggressively (worked on one of our players tbh haha) but a few of my mates know him personally and have said he's a good lad. As long as he keeps grounded he will be a quality player and now that the other young fella has gone off to the NRL things can only get better for your lad

Who else has gone to NRL from Leeds?

Baldwinson gone to NZ Warriors.

Like I have said before a lot of the players in the squad have serious misgivings about Cummins man management or lack off.

I think people are reading into this what the journo wants you to read.

There's no actual quote from Naughton saying that he's fallen out with Cummins.
The lad has ability and confidence, and tbh if there are players in the academy who DON'T share his "I want to play in the first team" attitude then really, you have to wonder what they're doing here. He showed what he could be capable of in his debut with Bradford against what was a deplete Huddersfield but it was certainly a strong showing from the lad.

It was reported that he left because his family was moving down under and the amount he was getting playing for Bradford was not enough to support him on his own and that Bradford were not willing to break their salary scale to accommodate him.

But now they're saying it's down to a falling out? Doesn't quite ring true. If he was unhappy at Bradford he could easily put in a request to leave. His frustration at not getting any more game time last year is understandable. We had a fair few injuries so there was at least the option of giving him a debut earlier but it didn't happen.

But it's not like he's playing 1st grade down under either.

And Mason Tonks,they go next week

That's the one, couldn't remember his name haha!

I was disappointed when we lost him. I am not now. Cummins is the coach not an arrogant 18 year old. Kids want everything now and some just won't work hard through their apprenticeship. He should have looked at Kearney and worked his socks off so that in a couple of years when Kearney possibly calls it a day with us he is there to step in at a still young age of 20. He is a good prospect but I remember watching a young lad called Mumby who forced the coach to pick him without saying a word out of turn. This kid needs to grow up if he wants respect. And, getting a contract down under doesn't prove you are top class - Warrancy!!!!

Tbh, I'm happy with Frannys supposed management style. No player is bigger than the coach. And as somebody said before we want a Head Coach, not a friend to the players.

I think it’s a shame that some players feel the need to sound off about the club they’ve left. There’s no need for it, it doesn’t do any good for them and makes them look a bit bitter. Better to keep you trap shut and concentrate on the future, it’s a classier approach and more professional.

If there is truth in what he’s saying about nobody communicating with him about why he wasn’t getting a chance I’d find that very surprising. Anyone watching him could see that although he looked very good in attack he was rather less accomplished defensively. He’d certainly have been targeted had he played first team more often and I suspect he wasn’t being picked in order to protect him rather than some sort of vindictiveness on the part of Cummins. I remember Robbie Paul thinking he was ready for 1st team before he was and he admits as much in his book. Perhaps Naughton needed someone to have a word like Robbie?

There’s been a lack of “winning culture” at the club for a number of years and I wonder if Cummins is trying to sharpen things up. That’s likely to have some casualties, Whitehead being one. The challenge for Cummins is to try to get players to buy into his methods and make a break from the past rather than cut them if they don’t buy in. Like others I’ve heard rumours about disagreements with the likes of L’Estrange, Sammut and Bateman but this sort of thing will always happen occasionally. I just hope the loss of Naughton isn’t just the tip of the iceberg. I guess we’ll see how motivated players are when the season starts.

Think that sage advice holds true in every walk of life, even on RAB!

The T and A used to run a piece a week on a player telling us how a certain ex-coach was brilliant and how it was the players fault for going away from the game plan.. blah blah.

Naughton wasn't picked because the coach didn't pick him - end of.

There are few SL players who make their debut at 18 and even fewer who get regular football. I thought he was a good prospect and am still disappointed that he's not going to develop in our system, but if the story in the paper is accurate, it seems he has an attitude problem, which, for his sake, I hope he loses quickly.

Couldn't agree more. Although it has softened the blow of losing what appeared from the terraces to be a young player with potential. A reminder also that a head coach factors in many other things as well as playing ability such as attitude in training (even when not playing 1st team rugby). But hopefully he goes on to make a success of his stint in Oz once his feet are planted back on planet earth.