May be worth reminding ourselves that at present we sit third in the U19s competition and looking very likely to make the top four plays offs. Rovers sit eight points behind us in seventh.

I think we all know who the winners & losers are in this.

Financially it makes sense. But it defies the fact that our separate and oppositional identities define us. Removing this at grass roots is self destruction. Hideous day for both clubs.

Quote: ComeOnYouUll "May be worth reminding ourselves that at present we sit third in the U19s competition and looking very likely to make the top four plays offs. Rovers sit eight points behind us in seventh.'" Three players in the England Academy 20-man squad too. www.totalrl.com/england-academy-squad-named/

Quote: ComeOnYouUll "May be worth reminding ourselves that at present we sit third in the U19s competition and looking very likely to make the top four plays offs. Rovers sit eight points behind us in seventh.'" Three players in the England Academy 20-man squad too. www.totalrl.com/england-academy-squad-named/

The big question is not how many are there on Sunday, but how many are there next year?
The chickens will come home to roost once the season tickets go on sale.

How many of the of you have actually seen an under19s game of late ?

What Pearson said at the start of the interview on Blunderside, was that the RFL are looking at reducing the number of academies to 8, across the country. So others will have to merge aswell.

I suggest all those throwing their toys out, listen to the interview, and to what he and Smith are actually saying.

I have guv'nor.

I can see the point they are making and the pros and cons of this merger, but as usual they've gone about it in a right titsn way.

Will affect a lot of the players I currently coach and their mates, so I have a keen interest in how the hell they're gonna do everything

RFL are great. Praise the RFL. The RFL know all.

He may be right about the reduction, but who is going to bet against Wigan, Sts and the whino's having academies all of their own in this 8? Better to resist for now.

We have a top four academy side according to the league table and one of ony six academies rated "outstanding". Let other clubs merge their academies if they wish.

Again, a Pearson and Smith said, Hull is a small city with 2 SL teams. If the aim is for 8 academies then it's the logical thing to do. Hardly going to have 2 of the 8 in Hull are they?

I didn't say I agree with it, but if you listen to the detail, it isn't as bad as it first appears. It's also done, so we have to get on with it.

They did say it would be reviewed after, I think, three years.

Absolutely this. Our academy was probably the sole source of pride and optimism for fans right now. A half-d scheme to share its wealth with Hull KR is poor, and timing could scarcely be worse.