Four players in the England academy setup, second only to St Helens.

Bateman, McAvoy amongst them. Bravo to the club.

This can't be possible are we not supposed to base on quantity not quality??

Good to see we have a four good prospects that are highly rated. If memory serves these lads were recruited before 2011 when our academy set up was less praiseworthy.

However it appears that the mistake of last year to go into the season with very few players signed up and only one halfback has been rectified for 2012. Hopefully that will mean our top prospects will no longer have to suffer so many drubbings and other players can experience winning more often. Hopefully we'll continue to provide good young players to the first team.

England Academy U17 Squad to face the Australian Institute of Sport

Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves, Golbourne Parkside)

Connor Farrell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)

Connor Spencer (Bradford Bulls, Hunslet Warriors)

Danny Yates (St Helens, Waterhead)

Dom Speakman (St Helens, Widnes St Maries)

George Williams (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)

Greg Richards (St Helens, Ulverston)

Greg Wilde (St Helens, Golbourne Parkside)

Jack Cockerham (Bradford Bulls, Castleford Lock Lane)

Jack Owens (Widnes Vikings, Farnsworth Hornets)

James Cunningham (Hull FC, East Hull)

James Saltonstall (Warrington Wolves, Siddall)

John Bateman (Bradford Bulls, Dudley Hill)

Jordan Baldwinson (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Warriors)

Josh Johnson (Huddersfield Giants, Waterhead and Saddleworth)

Liam McAvoy (Bradford Bulls, Broughton Red Rose)

Mark Percival (St Helens, Halton Hornets)

Mike Learmonth (Warrington Wolves, Hunslet Warriors)

Mike McMeeken (Harlequins RL, West London Sharks)

Sam Doherty (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Hunslet Warriors)

Stevie Ward (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Warriors)

Interesting to see which amateur clubs these kids come from and where they end up.

Hunslet Warriors provided 5 - one to us, Wire, Wakey & 2 to Leeds

I know Learmonth and Baldwinson. Well played against them. Im suprised that Curtis Naughton hasn't been picked though :/ Saying that he is a back not a massive forward like the other two And Jack Owens is a pretty good fullback.

Learmouth was Parkside not Warriors, Stevie Ward played at Churwell from an early age to the team folding at under 17's (?), and I think Sam Doherty was similar.

Learmonth played for Hunslet Warriors for the past 2 years at least.

its a shame that the local bradford teams have only supplied bateman. Thought Bowling, Dudley Hill and Wibsey may have produced a couple more

Wibsey and dudley hill only have a couple of youth teams..dudley hill have one on at keighley scholarship, wibsey a couple at keighley, one at huddersfield and one at bulls(if dillon is still there).

Theres a couple who have progressed immensely in last season at wyke..wyke have come on in leaps and bounds this year at u17 and surprised me how good they actually are on sunday..they have good structure now and seem to work for each other rather than just let someone else do it all.

Dudley hill are really only lacking in speed as they have the heart and a few give their all, one stands out from the others but the team spirit is very good.

Wibsey have a couple of very good backs with speed and a couple of good forwards and a good organiser..they know if they can get the ball wide they will score, they just need to believe in themselves more.