I don't think we'll be doing things quite like that (and impressive as it sounds, I'd worry a bit about hot-housing young lads). But the principle is right. Focusing resources, rather than spreading them as widely (i.e. thinly) as possible.

I know many fans identify with these teams (probably even more on the other side of the river, of late), but to me they're a means to an end, rather than an end in themselves.

Of course. And I'd disagree with Easty - Abdull is your product, just as Larrikin Liam Watts is ours. Imo. And according to the rules.

But who cares? None of them play for us now. I don't think about the young local colts halfback whose opportunities were curtailed by the arrival of Roger Millward in the 1960s. Actually, now I am, but you know what I mean.

It shouldn't be about scoring points off one another, or worrying about Minns being ahead of Hallett in the pecking order, because he might be... well, better.

I want to see good players in a successful Hull KR team. If they come through the academy, in whatever form, then great. If they're Australian, Polynesian, Melanesian or Lancastrian, that's fine too.

We've been too ready to swallow how Leeds, Wigan and Saints want to see themselves, rather than what they are, which when you boil it down is a rather less romantic recipe for success. They're selling a dream that is based on a very questionable premise, in which cause and effect are reversed. Again imo.

The one-size fits all tick box approach of licensing reinforced it.

This merger might not work and it'll certainly offend some fans' sensibilities, but to me it seems very rational for our two clubs, their current circumstances.

Lancastrian?

That's going too far.

The argument against elite junior programmes - Josh Mantellato - he never spent a day in an elite junior programme. He got himself fit enough to be an elite sportsman due to his job as a personal trainer at a gym and learnt his kicking skills in his backyard by himself. He got his break at age 23 after being a standout in a country football league, and after paying his own way to play for Italy in World Cup qualifiers.
But I suppose he is the one in a thousand who didn't come through an elite junior set up to reach the top these days.

NO I am with you on this goose has i have said on a post on this thread i will be happy for it to work i just have my fears it will not but if it does it will be no thanks to the RFL

I also had stated my positivity for this idea. I think there are clearly things that the clubs haven't yet disclosed, but in theory I am behind it. A couple of things though....

Name: Humberside does not exist, so not even a sniff of that horrible name. Hull and East Riding, (although the name of the Union club that used to frequent the circle) or Hull and East Yorkshire, or even Hull Thunder Robins, but not Humberside!

Colour: whilst I can see the merit of yellow and blue (HCC colours) we will clash with Leeds and wire, so an away shirt of red and black would be acceptable.

Coaching: are we to use a mixture of our current set ups? with all our current sides doing well and improving picking and choosing coaches may be a massive headache especially with the perceived best mate culture at FC

Director of Rugby: Was Jamie Peacock aware of this before he signed up, if not I wonder how he feels about it.

The draft system: this will, I believe be a bit more straight forward than imagined. However a good point made by another poster was if a club has real injury problems and the draft isn't while after u19, what happens then? Or is there a mini draft after u16?

Just a few thoughts at this early stage, I'm sure others will have their own thoughts on this but let's get them out there.