Ryan Hampshire

Quote: bren2k "I'm not denying the good work that happens at Wigan or any other club - what I'm suggesting is that it becomes received wisdom that they don't hoover up players from other areas when they patently do; the Sky team reinforce it by constantly banging on about 'production lines' at clubs like Leeds and Wigan, but only tell half the story. Wigan were fined for dodgy dealings with junior players this season, and I'll wager it's not the first time.

The wider issue remains the case - junior players would often get a better start to their career at a club that actually needs them; whilst I agree it's very difficult to dissuade a lad (or his Dad) from sending a player to a bigger club, they often don't get the game time or development they need, due to being stuck behind a roster of internationals. The pressure of weekly SL games and the reckless decision to abandon the reserve set-up has only added to that - with young players often seeing intermittent first team action, and/or being farmed out on DR - which harms the game even more, because it displaces the players at the lower league club as well.

It's a bit of a mess - but as long as the RFL keep tinkering around the edges, nothing will change.'"

Wigan were indeed fined and they then went straight out and tapped up a team of U13s the day after.

The wider wider issue is that these lads at Y10 and Y11 who are in Pro Scholarships are also in the middle of their GCSEs. I know it's partly their choice but dragging these lads over the Pennines at rush hour and them not getting home till gone 10 or 11 OClock at night 2 or 3 times a week is irresponsible of the clubs who do it but more so of the RFL for allowing such disruption to occur.