Easy one to answer. Lack of game time and consistency playing. Just like Harrison was pre Smith coming in and playing him every week.

In 5 years time you could be looking at a team something like

1. Burke
2. Riley
3. Atkins
4. Bridge
5. Williams
6. Grix
7. Myler
8. Cooper
9. Thompson
10. Harrison
11. McCarthy
12. Mitchell
13. Blythe

14. Neal
15. Hulme
16. Tahraoui
17. Evans

That without the overseas & national signings that we have become accustomed to...

Cooper

Cooper has been given a big chance with Carvell out for a while and wood getting injured and he has played poorly. In a squad game when you are given a shot you have to bust a gut to try and make it impossible for the coach to drop you for the next match and he hasn't done that. And in my opnion his defence looks seriously suspect for a prop.

Cooper performed well for us last year and that was with a lack of game time and consistency in playing, this year he has probably started more games in SL than last year with him having a spell at Cas. Like someone pointed out above, he`s had a big chance to shine with Carvell and Wood having spells out but he doesn`t seem to be performing to the level of last year when he`s made our team.

Interesting that you mention Tahraoui there, not seen him turn out for either the 18s or 20s this season. Is he injured?

Get down to the HJ tomorrow evening at 5.30pm to watch the u20's play. You will see many promising young players who have every chance of progressing to the first team.

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No Rhys Evans? I've seen in mentioned on here before that he's a once in a generation type of player.

No 17 in list

There is also his twin brother Ben Evans who has just been named u20 Player of the Month

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Ah right, I'd assumed that he's named Ben Evans at 17 as a bench second rower.

If Rhys is half the player he's cracked up to be, in 5 years time he'd surely get a wing spot at least ahead of Williams and probably Riley as well.

Anyway with the quality and numbers of youngsters coming through the signs are promising for the future.

Yeah that was the point I was trying to make - in 5 years time we have every chance of fielding a predominantly Warrington developed 17. Now I know as well as the next person this won't realistically happen, there will be Aussies/Kiwis/ UK developed players who have been signed from other clubs but the future isn't looking too shabby.

Tahraoui I included as a point of interest as he's a massive lad & I can't wait to see him in action - we cry out for the English Inglis' or Folau's and yet here is one with the size & build...

I think people are being a tad harsh on Cooper,against Salford he played well enough for me.He is only young and still learning the game,maybe him and Smith dont see eye to eye and that has knocked him back abit.I do think he will come good.Blythe has deffo blown his chance which is shame i relly thought he had something about him.Mitchell looks like he needs to bulk up abit.

I hope none of the aforementioned young players are reading this. Sheesh.

Mitchell scored a belting try against leeds a couple of seasons ago and everyone was like Wow who is this kid,
He layed the platform and never really got any better for me,wish we had 2 or 3 ben harrisons.

Tommo is quality! His step is simular to that of Bridge! Given his chance, he will take it!

Agreed followed by Mitchell And Cooper

Williams and MCcarthy haven't had a chance

Yes of course, Williams who has just been given another contract by Smith and also McCarthy who is obviously seen to have some talent as he was picked in the Wembley team. Neither of those stand a chance.

Haven't seen enough of them

MCcarthy is at Leigh on a dual registration and Williams as been in the 19 man squad but not starting , so yeah they haven't had their chance under smith yet

but hopefully they will soon

Rhys Williams has had a chance, a few actually

I no he has and i wish he has more

i hope he starts next year while hicks is going back

Agreed from what i have seen of him he looks a superb winger

Ask Cas fans what they think about Mike Cooper. Very, very positive feedback from there earlier this season.

From the others, its difficult to judge without gametime at the highest level but I agree with another poster who refers to Mitchell, McCarthy & Blythe as lacking the 'x factor' even though I think they contribute as promising squad players at the moment. I think with the top level young players you can see what they bring at SL level fairly quickly but they are few and far between.

I loved how Alex Thompson played on debut at the end of last season though - I thought he had some x factor about his game and lots of confidence.

Leatherbarrow for example.

Nobody has mentioned James Laithwaite. He's been a regular at u20 for two years putting in a great level of performance and got man of the match for England Academy this week: www.englandrl.co.uk/englandrl.php?id=441

Nobody has mentioned James Laithwaite. He's been a regular at u20 for two years putting in a great level of performance and got man of the match for England Academy this week: www.englandrl.co.uk/englandrl.php?id=441

Brooke Broughton ?