They won't have an under 20's competition to play in it seems. They'll be playing under 19's and getting some time on loan at South Wales I imagine.

I think Farrell, Hampshire, Williams and Burgess may well get first team squad numbers for next year. Tierney is still behind Tomkins, Murphy and Russell at the moment so will have to wait a little longer. Sutton will probably take longer to make the step up (assuming he does) since he's a prop.

4 of these guys are 1st year under 18s meaning there only just 17 in a lot of cases.
I wouldn't be worried about them not being in the 1st team squad until 2014 if it were up to me. That doesnt mean we couldnt use them (not too many at once though please) if needed but by the 2014 season most of them will be around the late 18/ early 19 mark which for me is the ideal time for them to be exposed to the 1st team.
Lets' not expect too much of them too early.

Five of them are first year U18's this year. Only Connor Farrell is second year.
Hampshire, Williams, Burgess, Tierney and Sutton are all still 17, As I said Sutton was only 17 yesterday.

Agree with everything you said about introducing them gradually and certainly noy rushing them yet.

If Joe Burgess continues to develop he could be the ideal replacement for Pat Richards, and in Hampshire we have a kid with blistering pace and a superb goal kicker.

And to think this years under 16's could well be even better. Having not lost a game in two years.



Who ever's in charge of youth development at Wigan is doing a marvelous job. John Winder I think.

Certainly no rush to get them in to the first team squad and playing matches but I'd love to see them in there training fulltime with the first team and learning from the best.

Either way there looks to be real talent coming through and that softens the blow of losing the likes of Finch, Leuluai and Lima. We may have to play a patience game for a couple of years but there can't be a club in a better position to deal with the reducing numbers of NRL stars coming this way and our stars going the other way then us.

Long term we look set fair.

I think they'll be training with the first team squad fairly quickly but not necessarily rushed in. There's usually a group of young players who are brought into the fringes of the first team and since Williams was already considered for selection this year and with Mellor leaving I think they'll be in reserve. Also if Ryan King leaves then we're a little light in cover on the wing so Burgess will probably make the squad too.

You can never be certain with how players progress though. Just look at Shaun Ainscough. He was part of the England Academy squad and impressed against Australia only to fail to make the grade. Matty Russell could well go the same way unless he makes some improvements to his game.

So while it's good that we've got 6 excellent prospects there's still a long way to go before we can be sure they'll make it.

ht score from Canberra.
Australia 24 England 6

England had chances early on but failed to take them. Then the Aussues hit them with three quick tries.

Final score Australia 41 England 10.

Match report. therfl.co.uk/news/article/25841/ ... australian

Match report. therfl.co.uk/news/article/25841/ ... australian

highlights! from yesterdays game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcBaDMCp ... e=youtu.be

highlights! from yesterdays game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcBaDMCp ... e=youtu.be

What do we reckon to that result? A shock or pretty much expected?

I was expecting a little more tbh going off the warm up games but I'm not the best judge.

I would hope this was a result of nerves catching up with the English players as it looks like we just made so many silly errors and the aussie lads just punished those errors.

I think we sort the errors out we will fair a helluva lot better, but that aussie team looks awesome and from the highlights i have seen Mitchell Moses looks a huge prospect

Good luck in the next boys

What's a bit annoying is that some of the players were warned about Mitchell Moses before they left for Aus.

The aus pack dominated and allowed him to have a field day though RG.

Nevertheless he looks a special player

Seems like the Aussies were prpared to had a bit of Biff out early as well?
You know what my opinion on that is!

The players need to relish the step up in class and not go into their shells, they have to be able to perform when it matters so it will be interesting to see if they can turn it around on saturday night.

I just heard that John Bateman is in doubt for the 2nd test on saturday, big loss if he is out.

Bateman is ok to play but Ryan Hampshire is out, he was quiet by his high standards last week and i was looking forward to him putting it right.
He has picked up food poisoning or something.

Bloody Aussie BBQ's

Team for Saturdays game in Brisbane. therfl.co.uk/news/article/25886/ ... y-side-for

Team for Saturdays game in Brisbane. therfl.co.uk/news/article/25886/ ... y-side-for

No i think it was vegemite, HAHA

24 - 6 to Australia at half time.

Final score Australia 40 England 14.

I'm not sure how you can prepare for a player like that, he looks outstanding.

Depressing match report. www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/25 ... fall-to-2-

Depressing match report. www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/25 ... fall-to-2-