20s Report

How's Leigh's Chris Rowe doing on his season loan to you 18's?

I've been impressed myself the couple of times I've seen him. Looks a strong lad and of only four tries scored by forwards so far in our 18s, he has claimed three of them. Have to say though our 18s haven't been tested in any game so far it seems, so hard to judge fully.

Always thought Matt Crow, U20's looked promising as a centre, has pace, a step and is good in attack and defence though still a work in progress, will regularly break the opposition line and isnt greedy, but so far this season has spent a majority of his time warming the bench. Played 60mins up against Cudjoe in Lockers testamonial and kept him off the score sheet, appreciate it was a friendly but not many centres manage that. Perhaps now they have Gelling and Hughes, Wigan feel they no longer have to look for a centre, though Hughes I think is still a better option at 2nd row. I dont think they have learnt from their previous unsuccessful efforts to turn a 2nd row into a centre

Whats happened to that young Welsh lad we signed a few years ago?

I can honestly say that i have seen a few of these u18 and a few have showed good potential but alot seem to be unsung hero's ie, Josh Rooney, Johnny Brown - Rooney seems to have great strengh and speed and imo think Brown runs hard and great lines with great tackling - sometime i think the full picture should be watch instead of the few indiviuals but yep i agree a great set of lad with good potential

I can't think of any Welsh players that were signed a few years ago although I could be forgetting someone.

The two recent young Welsh signings seem to be going well though. Rhys Pugsley looks to have lots of potential from what I've seen of the under 18's while Rhodri Lloyd has been one of the better performers in the under 20's and has an eye for the tryline. He seems to score every week.

I wonder if the poster was thinking of Jamie Acton who was from London, and has now left Wigan to go and play for Oldham.

Sure his name was Davies (not Ben Davies though)

I remember you going on about a welsh lad a couple of years back Brian. Can't remember his name though

I was surprised and a bit disappointed we let him go. Always thought he had a lot of potential, and we're not exactly well off for centres coming through (O'Donnell and Hughes are really converted 2nd rowers).

I too liked Jamie Acton was very disappointed to hear he had left. Thought he had great potential at centre but then was moved into the second row which is what we seem to do a lot as per Matty Crowe!! Look to have a good one coming through from the under 16s in Oliver Gildart but whether we turn him into a second row only time will tell.

The u18's have some quality players and h havn't been beat for two seasons. The pack is strong and a couple of players who has caught my eye are the loose forward Lever who I believe has played in the 20's this season and Wright the hooker. The 18's side must be the best team in the country at that age.