Attended the U20's yesterday. Thoroughly entertaining game. As a result I have read this thread with interest. The comments of some posters concerning the quality of the U20's competition has lead me on a quiet Sunday afternoon to do a little bit of research. According to the Quins v. Huddersfield first team programme notes and the U20's teamsheet available at the U20's match Huddersfield U20's fielded the following from their 37:

Greg McNally, fullback 28
Elliott Hodgson, wing 25
Kyle Wood, scrum half 23
AdamWalker, prop 24
Jamie Cording, second row 26
Danny Kirkmond, second row 17
Matty Sarsfield, loose forward 35
Ross Peltier, interchange 33

A total of 8.

Quins U20's fielded the following from our 32:

Mark Calderwood
Will Lovell
Omari Camo
Dan Sarginson
Joe Mellor
Rob Thomas
Max Edwards
Dave Williams
Lamont Bryan
Sam Bolger

A total of 10

By way of further comparison according to the programme notes covering the Quins U20's game against the Rhino's the Rhino's team included four players listed on their website as being in the First Team:

Callum Casey
Michael Coady
Liam Hood
Brad Singleton

Now I know Quins have a different dynamic when it comes to squad size compared to the established bigger clubs but I had assumed (and I stand to be corrected) that all clubs allocate squad numbers to those they expect to feature in the first team during the course of the coming season. The talented "fringe" players who are not included in the first team planning for the current season (subject to injury etc) are those that are loaned out.

If the U20's team list for Huddersfield I got yesterday is correct I am even more impressed by what our U20's achieved given the reported strength in depth Huddersfield possess. The 8 Huddersfield players involved should be pushing the first team incumbents for their places and doing their all to impress their coaches.

DM doesn't know what happens at clubs.

It will stay as it is with only say 2 or 3 kids on average per year getting first grade contracts and even then not likely to play first grade. Don't listen to the News hype. Not much has changed since it was called Jersey Flegg in NSW, but as it's the NRL comp now, it's overhyped and all over the News Ltd media.

....you're being too kind

...we will agree to disagree on this. I have no doubt you will be proven correct over the coming years, but I still say my business model of growing your own is the better one.