I never realised Watkins played for Latchford. Could somebody explain how our youth system managed to miss out on him? Once in a generation type player.

Unfortunately he doesney need anymore learning.
We need a better carrot

A couple of years ago Warrington signed six players from Latchford, three of whom were England Academy internationals and two were Wales internationals. None are currently in the full time squad and two have already left.

To my knowledge during that time the only players to move into the first team squad have been signed from other Academies out of the area apart from Harvey Livett (from Rylands). Interestingly many of those players all share the same agent known professionally as 'show me the money uk'.

So either this is a failure of our development system, players locally are just not as good as those from elsewhere or maybe they should appoint said agent or even any agent. Take your pick at what you think is the answer.

That is also an interesting point about Wigan although ten of the players in the GF were actually Wigan born. Makes you wonder if they have changed their recruitment focus and why when it has been so successful.

PS Congratulations to Latchford on having two players now in the England senior squad. Community clubs should get some recompense when that happens.

Saints have just signed 10 young players from Halton Hornets, so I am reliably informed.

Mark - I can't pick what the issue is. If we have signed so many players with few making it, it may point to the selection process. I don't know. Tony Smith was rightly proud of 7 academy players in the first team recently. He went on to say that he and the club take the clubs junior squad very seriously and will continue to do so. The club receive good marks in the independent assessment for this grade. Perhaps the club may do a top down and bottom up review of its systems now we are in the close season. It would be worthwhile. Finishing ninth in the Academy League is not good enough for Warrington, in my view.

Hard to argue that the players were not good enough on joining as 5 were Academy internationals. Maybe it's what happens after they join.