According to my calculations, Cas have used 27 players, 22 of them HOME players, 5 overseas, 12 Cas reared. Plus 2 loaned players, both of those HOME players.

You could include Liam Watts and Ben Gledhill as Cas reared players at other SL clubs.

no worries m8

The criticism of Rovers youth policy has long been misplaced and is now being shown to be so, IMO. There was always going to be a lag phase before it bore fruit. Comparisons with Cas ignore that they're a much longer established SL club with just a couple of 1 season breaks. There was very little incentive for Rovers to develop players while in the second tier (see Jon Wilkin going to Saints at 19), and even less money. As an aside - Watts is a fully qualified Rovers trained player, even by the most recent and strictest RFL definition - 3 years at the club while eligible for the under-20s.
The argument that overseas players will block opportunities for youngsters, is fine - but Sheriff's progress is no more blocked by Taulapapa than it would have been by Cockayne, for example. The choice we have made hasn't been experienced foreigners over kids, it has been experienced foreigners over experienced British players produced by other clubs. That may be just as blameworthy to some - I don't mind criticism if it fair and logical.

This man talks sense.

The choice HKR have made is overseas players (not always experienced) over british players. Signing a 29 year old overseas utility back does take away a place from a young british player. It is unbelievable that HKR couldnt find in either their academy, other academies or the lower leagues a young british player to give an opportunity as a utility back to.

It disheartens me when Rovers get constantly castrated by fans on here when we have so many young players that have come up from our academy playing 1st team especially when many more look so promising. Our U18's lost 3 games all season and the majority are able to play at that level next year after coming up from the U16's scholarship side last year.

Hull FC (A) 26-24
Salford (A) 24-16
Wakefield (A) 44-36

Does everything Rovers do good at Academy level count for nothing when they sign one Louis Sheriffe is coming through at fullback but he isn't ready for a full season at SL level

What you win at academy level does count for nothing. If players arent coming through it is of no interest to anyone except the players playing.

And if they had one it wouldnt be such an issue, but they have plenty and i dont think its controversial to say that signing a 29 year old lower league overseas utility back is a step in the wrong direction.

Players are starting to come through Scott Taylor & Jordan Cox to name just two very very good forwards who have what it takes to be the mainstay of Rovers pack for years to come.

I'm sure you mean castigated.

It's quite a bit different to being castrated.

Well when they are, and when HKR are no longer relying on overseas players then people wont castigate them for doing so,

But until that time, and when they are still relying on large amounts of overseas players, and using every loophole they can to keep that number as high as they can, they will rightly be criticised for it.

We wouldn't be getting grief it we'd signed 29 year old Stuart Reardon though. I think there are legitimate reasons why this signing can be questioned - bringing youth development in to it muddies the water, IMO.

We're not doing quite as well in the backs as the forwards, but 18 year old fullback Louis Sheriff made his debut this year. 21-year old Sam Latus has played about a dozen games I think. No longer a youngster, but Kris Welham is probably favourite to be the club's POY. Centre Liam Salter, also 18, has signed as a pro for next year and is seen as a good prospect I believe.
Say we should have kept Briscoe, Fox, Colbon or even Cockayne, and while I might or might not agree, I could at least see your logic.

Elima was in the Cas academy and may have played first team when he was (very) young.

I believe that to be "home-grown" a player had to play for a club for 3 years under the age of 21. Might be wrong though.

Because you would be giving a chance to a british player, which is one of the responsibilities of the british game.