That's a fair summary. The most impressive Leeds youngster for me is Sutclffe

Peter?
He was a real demon back in the day

The good thing about Laithwaites is he started with the Wire as a town team 11 year old and played for the town at every age group possible through to 1st grade. Added to that he's a Warrington lad who played all his junior rugby at Crosfields he's not an out of Towner, he stuck with Wire and it's already paying off, already a GB u19 mom winner against the Aussie. He's still learning but I'm sure will represent England at full international level in the near future.

hmm, did you not see Wards 40 yard break and one handed offload to Briscoe for a try against Huddersfield a couple of weeks ago?
the kid is 21 years old and averaging 85 metres and 41 tackles per game this season - there's not many other young forwards doing that.

looking at his stats laithwaite seems to be lacking in his attacking contribution - so far he has: 0 clean breaks, 0 offloads, only 1 tackle bust this season and averages less than 50 metres per match.
is that a fair reflection of his game at the minute?

having said that, i wouldnt be suprised or disappointed to see both challenging for an England squad place at the end of the year

How's that song about him go?...

Laithwaite, Laithwaite.
Jimmy Jimmy Laithwaite.
He's got red hair,
But we don't care.
Jimmy Jimmy Laithwaite.

The comparison to Gary Sanderson is an accurate, and complimentary one.

Sanderson wasn't called the hoover for nothing - he mopped up errors from colleagues and opposition alike and got on with his own game in an unfussy and professional way. The lad could play a bit as well, his pass out of the tackle to release a quicksilver Brian Johnson for a cracking try in the JP semi in 87 is one of my favourite Wire memories.

In a pack boasting the likes of Boyd, Gregory & Roberts I suspect Sanderson was the first name on Tony Barrow's teamsheet, and I guess Laithwaite is fast becoming the same for Tony Smith, and rightly so.

Beat me to it!

Fits as well

to the tune of
hurray hurray,
it's a holi holiday.
(boney m)

Spot on. Sandy was the archetypal no nonsense forward. Bob Jackson once told me he hardly said a word during a game but his effort and dependability made him a player the others revered. If James Laithwaite turns out anywhere near as good as Gary we've got a gem.

James Laithwaite is going about his business quietly and I hope it stays that way because he has been superb in defence this season. He's a hard runner who probably does lack a little in attack at present but this will come with maturity and experience of playing games at SL level.

Tony Smith has recognised his talents and he is clearly a starter now in the second row, so fair play to him and his hard work has paid off so far.

If he keeps going, he can be a future England player no danger

I am very happy with James Laithwaite's contribution at the moment. Every side needs a back row who is a tackling machine and a workhorse. We've got him.

Look at the flip side, Westerman, great in attack, turnstile in defence.
I know what i prefer.

As a kid watching the game in the eighties, I never quite understood why Sanderson got the plaudits. That was of course before I realised defence wins games. The hoover was a great nickname, nothing got past him, and he was 100% consistent. If Laithwaite continues in that ilk, I don't give a flying fart as to his offensive game (not that it's shabby anyway) - he'll go from strength to strength. Totally businesslike and professional, nothing showy, but could be the backbone of our pack for years. And a born Wire too. What's not to love?