At least 13 of the side I named can’t play u19’s for us (not sure on Kibula and one or two others who will still be 19 when the season starts). The likes of Paisley, Partington, Woods, Ganson and Wells will probably play no rugby for a full season unless we sort loan deals out.

It’s pathetic.

Pretty sure Woods coming to Leigh on a season long loan

I think we’d do well sending 3-4 to Leigh on loan. They would be getting good game time in a tough league and they would still be playing together which would be good, someone like Kibula especially would do well there as it would force him to become more aggressive against the likes of Toronto and Widnes

I believe there are three or four going to Widnes on loan.

Will bes a full reserve league next year for them, just need manage next 12 months as best as possible then move forwards.

His name hasn't mentioned as one of the top performers for England Academy but I thought Morgan Smithies was outstanding. His work rate is incredible. The fact that he can comfortably play 80 minutes in the two toughest games of his season (the 19's Grand Final and this weekends test) and not just be good but be one of the best players from start to finish shows how much potential he has. Whether it's as a middle or a back row he looks like a really good prospect.

I'd imagine we're looking at sending quite a few players on loan with there being no reserves team. When you look at the players on the fringes of the squad, particularly the forwards, we've got the likes of Wells, Field, Paisley, Barnes, Partington, Kibula and Byrne who aren't eligible for the U19's and we can't keep all of them in and around the squad 'just in case'. There's going to be a lot of work involved in finding all our players suitable loan deals.

I agree. Smithies was very good and one who looks to have all the tools to make a top class back row forward. I overheard some young players at a scholarship game and they were talking about the best player they had played against. Morgan Smithies name was mentioned by quite a few of them when he was at Siddall.

It’s just a shame we don’t have Bateman for another couple of seasons or that Lockers doesn’t have a couple more years in the bank because Smithies looks like he has the potential to take one of their spots in the next 2-3 years. It would’ve been ideal to have one of those two around for the first few years of the lads first team career to help ease him in, with a view to him becoming a starter.

Lockers is presumably in his last season and Isa will be 30 on new year's day. I also think they may use Farrell more sparingly from 2020 onwards as he hits 30 and likely becomes a bigger piece of the puzzle in terms of leadership with S.Tomkins gone, Lockers and Leuluai retired. Add to that Hamlin may begin to attract some interest from back home if he has a big year. I think we can be confident the opportunity will be there for him if he is good enough.

I get he’ll get the opportunities to grab a place but my point is that I’d love to see a kid like that have a few years learning the ropes under players like Bateman and Lockers before becoming a regular starter. It’s easier to develop in strong teams, with good players rather then being asked to replace top class leaving players. As an example I’d rather ease him in to a side with with a back row of Bateman, Farrell, Lockers (and Greenwood on the bench) then ask him to come in to a team in 12 months time that could have a back row along the lines if Greenwood, Farrell and Isa.

If he’s good enough I suppose he’ll cope but with the gap between 19’s and the first team, I do worry that what looks like a cracking crop of juniors (Smith, Smithies, Kibula, McDonnell, Havard etc) won’t have it easy with guys like Tomkins and Bateman already gone and Lockers, Leuluai etc not far behind.

Was chatting to one of the Sidall coaches a few weeks ago and he said he is the lad to watch out for.

At times he noted in the amateur game oppositions simply found him unplayable. Big, raw boned, athletic but also a very intelligent line runner.

Superb 18-6 win tonight to take the series 2-0. There is some superb talent in that England side. The Saints fullback Welsby was excellent with two try’s but I felt it was in the forwards we really got the job done. Two of our lads (Havard and Smithies) were fantastic along with Wilson of Bradford and the Leeds trio of Holroyd, Johnson and Trout. The big second rower from Widnes (Walters) looks a talent as well.

The future looks really bright.

Agree totally. Leeds with Oledzski too could have some pack in a few years. Chufed to bits for Olly Wilson. Smithies is a machine! This lad needs one or two tastes of first team action for me. I commented on the VT and I don't know if it is Leuluais influence but how great is it to see an English half who can tackle like Smith does! I'm sorry but he has done himself no favours this tournament he has given a nation of Rugby League fans hope we finally have a half coming through with the potential to lead the country. Not that I want to put that on the young mans shoulders but its hard not to get excited given the dearth of halves talent we have seen come through over the years

I didn't manage to see the game last night as I was out in Manchester, I'm hoping Ourleague put up a recording, but from the reports it seems that it was yet another good performance.
I think Havard could really go well in about three or four years time, I know he's playing prop but really think he could make a really strong running back row forward.

The game is on youtube now.

It was obvious from minute one who would win. We were far too powerful in the forwards.

I watched the game this morning. What a game Ethan Havard had! He was on from the start until the 28th minute and came back on at minute 52 until the end. That's a very long spell for a (middle) prop forward especially when you consider he was 1st year academy this year and has just turned eighteen years of age.

With the reduced interchange rule an athletic forward like that could be invaluable.

I was trying to workout what style of lock Morgan Smithies is, I think Sean O’Loughlin is probably the most similar type of player. Tough & skilful

Doesn’t look to quite have the handling ability of Lockers but he looks so similar in his running style around the middle. His energy, determination and aggression were so impressive again. He looks a natural Rugby League player and you’d be surprised if he didn’t carve out a first team career.

Harry Smith on his way to Wire apparently.

No, but he is probably going out on loan, to a club beginning with "W"

Just signed a new contract at Wigannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

One of the lads going to his hometown club I presume?

That would be a really good move for him and us and would hopefully put him in a spot to challenge for a shirt here in 2020.

What age were the Australians?
Just that they were classed as schoolboys

Same age group U18's