Quote: Wales for super L "There are no players from Hull KR, Wakefield, Castleford, Widnes or London. When are these clubs going to wake up and realise the benefits of investing in youth development. I think its not coincidence these are the clubs regularly finishing outside the top 8. Maybe its time to start being a bit more forceful, something like 20% of all players wages must be spent on those eligble for U20's.'"
I think that this is a little unfair on some of these clubs.
In recent years Castleford have produced players like Westerman, Shenton, Arundel, Clark, Owen who are all good players.
Hull KR have players such as Taylor, Watts (kinda Castleford too), and Welham, who are all decent players.
Can't comment too much about Wakefield but I know that they've been doing well in the 9s competition (although I don't know if they've been fielding a lot of 1st teamers or whether it's been mainly academy).
London's brought through players like Clubb, Sarginson and Krasniqi. I think that London have bigger problems than their academy, tbh.
You can't say that Widnes are a club 'regularly finishing outside the top 8'. This is their 1st year in SL.
On another note, people should keep an eye on James Cunningham who has been named in the squad. He's a young hooker with a future that looks very promising.