Nope, signed as a replacement for Hicks. The same as Waterhouse replacing Anderson.

Is it really that difficult to comprehend?

22 years ago. Move on.

Ok sorry and Matt King replaces Riley on the other wing.

Your first choice 17 right now would probably possess just one academy product in Ben Harrison, for a side that's been top flight for that long you can't deny that's poor?

A completely needless signing and another example of why British rugby is such a mess.

Every other club is just as bad mind you.

H ah! True that Widnes will get the players we have who aren't quite perfect or simply those who we have too many of in stock.

I thought the Widiot was trying to make a serious point here, Sorry for taking him on, as he is another living in some parallel time warp.

Matt King replaced Monaghan. Williams replaced Riley.

I would agree there are too few Academy players for my liking, but I have a sufficiently balanced view that the period of 1997-2002, where it was exceptionally neglected, has taken a long time to rectify. Fortunately, Paul Cullen came in and set about re-establishing the youth set-up, this has been further progressed by Tony Smith with the introduction of a Director of Youth Development. I would put Warrington up there when it comes to investment in the U18/20s.

It may not be immediately transferring to the first team, but we provided five of the seventeen for the U18s versus Australian Academy.

Wrong again.
There were 5 players who the RFL would consider homegrown players in the wire team against saints. I thought there would be more but both Bridge and Briers signed half a season too late from what I can gather from the rules

It says just as much for the individuals in question though too, many of our academy products have been given the chances that they have craved and haven't made enough of the opportunity in some cases and others are still fighting to prove their worth at our great club. Some like Penny & Riley have had 1-17 squad numbers, so really had the chance.

Pickersgill, Riley, Penny, Mitchell, McCarthy, Cooper, Williams, Bracek, Blythe all have had tonnes of opportunities, I bet there's 100's of SL games between them and they've not done enough (generalising here - Blythe might come good). Harrison came through with Bracek & Picks, he's an England International playing test football, the other two are fighting to earn a living in full time RL (or semi pro at Widnes). Only Harrison nailed it of the trio.

When you're at the top, it's ruthless. High standards and all that, you don't reach those every week, then you'll find yourselves not playing and going somewhere else where those little 1%'s, those losses of concentration etc are accepted & excused, at a lower level if you like.

I know it's hard, I bet it's bloody awful coming back into SL and your rivals being prett dominant in all competitions, but just take it with good grace, enjoy the experience and don't get too down with the lows and if there is a high at any point, don't get too high.

Warrington wouldn't need to cheat the salary cap as much if they produced their own players.

It's only money....

It's not though. It's Take That meet n' greet tickets.

It might be if it was true and didn't simplify the issue massively.