Warrington closed down their youth and A-team set-up in the mid 1990s when the club was skint to save money. Although short-sighted in player development terms, it did keep the club afloat and away from the sort of financial disasters from which Bradford, Salford and even Wigan to some extent were rescued by various backers. It takes years to resestablish a good youth policy. This is clearly coming through now though with the likes of Riley, Harrison, Currie, Dwyer, Evans, Cooper etc. I'd sooner have five or six SL class players developed than one England selection, especially as some England selections still beggar belief. Although not a Warringtonian, Lee Briers developed into the player he is at Wire, and never got a decent shout at GB or England while all and sundry lesser talents took up the half back slots until he gave up and declared for Wales.

Who were the 10 out for Wigan and how many of those that played were playing their 2nd game in 3 days?

Leeds' production line:

Ben Jones-Bishop
Kallum Watkins
Ryan Hall
Danny McGuire
Rob Burrow
Paul McShane
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Carl Ablett
Kevin Sinfield
Stevie Ward
Ryan Bailey
Chris Clarkson
Richard Moore
Richie Mathers
Mark Calderwood
Chev Walker
Matt Diskin
Danny Ward
Nick Scruton
Luke Burgess
Ashley Gibson
Danny Williams
Jodie Broughton
Jordan Tansey
Luke Gale
Lee Smith
Garreth Carvell
Adrian Morley
Ryan Atkins
Ewan Dowes
Terry Newton
Francis Cummins
Jason Netherton
Scott Murrell


just off the top of my head

Add joe mellor to wigans. Another good game tonight

It's all just banter mate.

Good win for Leeds that with plenty missing and like you say a few backing up from Friday. The depth of your squad looks strong on that performance. To say there was so many players missing it didn't have the feel of a reserve side by any stretch.

Good for the game to see more youngsters making their debuts.

Sam Tomkins
Pat Richards
Blake Green
Matty Smith
Mike McIllorum
Liam Farrell
Sean O'loughlin
Ben Flower
Paul Prescott
Gil Dudson (before people claim he isnt a first choice player he has played every game that he has been fit for this season bar 1, salford at home, although this may be down to Prescott being injured most of the year)

I think the major thing about the Wigan game was that it was away from home (Widnes seem to be a different beast at home compared to away. home record played 9, 8 points. away played 9, 4 points)

As well as this Wigan were missing 1,6,7,9 &13. the whole spine of the team. Leeds had 1+9. they also had burrow at 7 who, despite playing 9 quite a lot, has played most rugby at 7. Leeds seem to play a few different players at 13, one of which was playing last night.

It was a good achievement by Leeds, they clearly have a good squad. I dont get why people have their knickers in a twist, no wigan fan ever claims they dont have a good youth setup. But I do think playing away with 18-20 year olds at 1,6,7,9 & 13 is a bit more impressive.

Crikey, that was even more than i'd hoped for. Well done

Can anyone confirm that jimlav is actually Phil Clarke?

All this thread proves is both Wigan [iand[/i Leeds have great home grown talent in their squads.

Quite an acheivment, and congrats to Leeds, but,

Wigan had all of their 1st choice Pivots out [1,6,7,9 & 13] for their game, which I think, if we're going to get technical about it, is a superior achievement. From what I saw last night Leeds only had 6 & 13 missing.

It's much easier to cover players in the 3/4s and the forwards than it is in essential ball playing roles.

Full credit to Leeds though, they were clinical last night.

Fair enough, but does that really equate to statements such as Wigan are lightyears ahead of everyone else in regards to youth development?

I didn't say it did.

But we are certainly ahead in the youth development, to say 'Lightyears' may be a tad over-enthusiastic. But we are currently, at least, head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. And probably lightyears ahead of everyone, bar the top 2 or 3 teams. Saints, Leeds & Wire.

Because you beat Widnes by a point in a mid-season game?

That certainly shows how you are head and shoulders above a team which won last seasons GF with 10 of its 17 developed by the club, and the club which has seen 19 different players they have developed win a grand final (of the 6 they have won) for them in the past decade.

If you want to consider GF wins as the be all and all of junior production, be my guest. This is stat that suits your Leeds bias. What happens if Wigan win the GF this year with 13 of 17 homegrown players, will you concede Wigan have the best youth development setup in the UK?

Or will you then find another stat that suits your Leeds [or Anti-Wigan] Bias?

If you like GF stats, here's one for you: How about the Wigan Academy team winning 4 of the last 5 Academy Grand Finals? Does that not prove, over the last 5 years, Wigan have had the best youth setup in the UK. Or are we only taking into account first grade?