Watts only turned 20 at the back end of last season. I would still class him as a young player.

Maybe so but I think the OP was searching for posts about young players who may come into SL this year, not ones who already have a lot of experience at this level.

As would I with Cooper.

Scott Taylor should make his breakthrough this year. Jordan Cox looks a very useful backrower. He's a big lad for his age too.

He's still young, but he's an established first team player now, everyone knows about him. Tom Briscoe is also 20, Eastmond is 21 etc. Yes they are young players in the sense that they are not veterans, but what does listing them achieve? Players like that don't belong in this sort of thread, it should be about youngsters who may be about to break into the first team rather than established stars.
Cooper is older than Sam Burgess. If anyone had listed Burgess on this thread they would be laughed at.

Don't forget Rhys Williams. He has looked good in 5/6 games he has played.

This lad has the potential to be a great as far as I'm concerned. Fast, good hands, good confidence, for me he has to stay at Wigan.


Not seen anything from him to excite me. Gets the ball and it's head down, charge in. Never passes and on at least a few occasions last year was badly out of position in defence or missed tackles to concede tries. I'm sure he'll do well somewhere but I can't see it being at Wigan unless on the wing.


Let's hope so. George seems to be fitting in well at Souths, and an England pack hopefully eventually including Sam, Tom and George will be a real handful for the Aussies.

How foolish of you saying we have youth players developing according to most on here it's no existent or we should have 1-17 young English club developed players how dare you upset people on here

From Warrington.

Was very impressed with Larne Patrick everytime I saw him last season.

They are still eligible for young player of the year, surely thats the category that decides on the term 'young' as far as RL goes.

That's why I think the category should be changed. In the NRL and many other sporting leagues they use Rookie of the Year, and the Albert Goldthorpe medal in League Express is also for rookie of the year rather than young player. It should be an award for players with 10 or less first grade games at the start of the season. Either way, listing a bunch of players who are in their second or third seasons is pointless and self-indulgent in terms of this thread.

I know, but he plays for Wigan which is what I was referring to.

Bateman at Bulls looked a decent player, maybe not this season though.

Indeed. I'll bet the mother in law on him being a strong prospect for future full international honours. Looks like Tom Burgess is laying down a market too, following the departure of two of his brothers for Oz - he has something to prove, and likley will do IMO.

How refreshing, too, to see such a positive and thoroughly good, informative and interesting thread! Take a bow, everyone!