Couple of England internationals coming up in early December, we have 3 players in the 20 (Abdul, Lancaster, Turgut) so hopefully some FC representation but as importantly great experience for all 3. They've been training this week at St George's Park, pleasing for the club to see recognition at that level. I don't see much of the academy players other than when they're in pre season games, but went to the Leeds play-off. Their full back Ash Golding looks a special talent so not surprised to see him in the squad also. www.englandrl.co.uk/teams/academy

Couple of England internationals coming up in early December, we have 3 players in the 20 (Abdul, Lancaster, Turgut) so hopefully some FC representation but as importantly great experience for all 3. They've been training this week at St George's Park, pleasing for the club to see recognition at that level. I don't see much of the academy players other than when they're in pre season games, but went to the Leeds play-off. Their full back Ash Golding looks a special talent so not surprised to see him in the squad also. www.englandrl.co.uk/teams/academy

Deffo heading to the first test match to support the Hull boys and also to the Leeds Academy match. Am off shift for the Cumbrian game so planning to head up there but the wife may yet veto that mid week trip!

It is always a strong Australian team but this years team is really big and powerful, there are a couple of Greg Inglis clones and and big Islander boys.
England will have to match them in the forwards to get anywhere near them.

All 3 play tomorrow, great news. Congratulations especially to Turgut on being awarded the captaincy. 9 clubs represented in total, good news also. www.totalrl.com/england-academy- ... choolboys/

All 3 play tomorrow, great news. Congratulations especially to Turgut on being awarded the captaincy. 9 clubs represented in total, good news also. www.totalrl.com/england-academy- ... choolboys/

Fantastic honour for Jansin Turgut, I haven't seen him play apart from some match highlights so what are peoples thoughts on him, strengths/weaknesses etc ?

Very strong runner, scores alot of trys, I haven't seen to much of weakness in his game, so as long he can transfer that from from under 19's to SL and keep himself level headed there is no reason he shouldn't make a good SL player, I'd expect him to make his debut next season.

When was the last time we had 3 players in the starting line up for England at this level, the same amount as Wigan and only one less than Leeds, also Jack Logan in the squad and HTW must have been close to selection also.

Easily the most exciting group of young players we have ever had.

You can listen to the match rlhere.rl

1st time I saw turgut I thought he stood out a mile as a definate future 1st team er.
Physically impressive already for his age n has a knack for trys. Physically and style wise he reminds me of anthony whatmough. Hopefully be as good ☺

The final score was England 18 Australia 22.

Jordan Abdull scored a try and a goal.

I was checking back on Rovers consistent failure to get to ever get any players in the England academy squads (never mind teams) over the years. I'd rather lost track. Somewhat deliberately. It wasn't the most thorough search, but I got back to an announcement from 5 years ago for the 2010 season and one-time great Rovers hope Kristian Bell.

Anyway, Hull had Jack Briscoe, Reece Lyne and Ben Crooks in that initial squad of 29. Since then I only noticed Cunningham and Bobby Tyson-Wilson.
It's interesting to see how some have really flourished from that 2010 team - George Burgess and Tommy Makinson for example. There's a fair few who are still seen as promising - Sam Powelll, Matty Russell and Brad Singleton. There's a good proportion playing in the lower leagues (Ryan King at Rochdale, Cain Southernwood at Whitehaven, to name a couple) or on the outer fringes of SL squads (Fullback Jack Murphy was still number 39 at Wigan last year), and a fair few seemingly out the game altogether, like Bell.

His physique is really impressive I agree.

Not a bad result that, presumably the Aussie boys have had more gametime as a unit, so not too shabby. All three will have benefitted from the experience.

4 tries each today. sets it up nicely for the second match

Jansin Turgut's player profile on the official site says he is 92kg's.

The Australian forwards all weigh in between 102-115kg's, that is a massive difference at any level and shows what a tough task he had so well done to him.

The Australian squad had a week in camp in Canberra before the tour and have had 3 warm up games over 3 weeks, so they have had a month together.
Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade, but this is only the Australian schoolboys squad, and most really good 18 year olds have either left school early or choose not to play for their school, so it isn't really the best squad possible.
All the Newcastle Knights kids in the squad, Cogger, Lamb and Robson, are all Catholic school boys, so probably have to play for their school, but right now we have better 18 year olds training with the firstgrade squad and 3 boys attending the "emerging Blues" camp in Sydney, which is supposed to be for future SOO players.
If every 18 year old player were available, I'd say only about a quarter of the current side would be picked, and some guys who have played firstgrade this year like Sione Mataútia from Newcastle and Gutherson from Manly would be in the side.
They probably have it right though. The schoolboys side is still a very strong side, and the tour games always seem to be competitive.