Hi, we currently have 11 overseas players (yes I know that's ridiculous) Kai O'Donnell has a British Passport, so technically we only have 10 !

It bodes really well for the league next year if Leigh come up because their side will be easily strong enough to stay up and it’ll give teams like Wakey and Toulouse (whoever stays up) a real kick up the backside to improve their side. It could leave a bigger club really vulnerable to relegation if they get off to a bad start.

Castleford, Bradford, Hull KR, Leigh and Salford were all excluded from the new Academy set-up.

On appeal Castleford, Bradford and Hull KR were allowed probationary entry until the end 2023 season, but Salford and Leigh were not.

If Leigh did have an Academy Team, it would be totally self funded, whilst the like of Saints, Wigan and Warrington which are Leigh`s nearest rivals all have Academy Teams funded by the RFL.

There is also the small matter of which opposition teams a Leigh Academy team could play.

The current Academy System is a closed shop, which is totally unfair.

Hence criticising clubs that have been essentially excluded from this cartel, about not developing their own players is wrong.

Quote ="Boss Hog"Castleford, Bradford, Hull KR, Leigh and Salford were all excluded from the new Academy set-up. On appeal Castleford, Bradford and Hull KR were allowed probationary entry until the end 2023 season, but Salford and Leigh were not. If Leigh did have an Academy Team, it would be totally self funded, whilst the like of Saints, Wigan and Warrington which are Leigh`s nearest rivals all have Academy Teams funded by the RFL. There is also the small matter of which opposition teams a Leigh Academy team could play. The current Academy System is a closed shop, which is totally unfair. Hence criticising clubs that have been essentially excluded from this cartel, about not developing their own players is wrong.'" Quote Clubs whose applications were unsuccessful have been provided with an explanation, and advised that they will be able to reapply in 2024. These clubs will be able to operate Development Academies which are run in conjunction with Further Education Institutions, and play in the highly competitive Colleges competition. This does not cause the same level of disruption to the community game, with matches played over the winter/spring season. Super League clubs will be required to run Reserves when that competition returns in 2022, and other clubs will have the option of applying to do so '" https://rugby-league.com/article/35148/ ... 20Warriors. Run a development academy, invest time and resources into the young players, gain elite academy status. Its a simple path, though some teams continue to refuse the investment and resources and then are shocked they lose "elite" status...

Quote ="Boss Hog"Castleford, Bradford, Hull KR, Leigh and Salford were all excluded from the new Academy set-up. On appeal Castleford, Bradford and Hull KR were allowed probationary entry until the end 2023 season, but Salford and Leigh were not. If Leigh did have an Academy Team, it would be totally self funded, whilst the like of Saints, Wigan and Warrington which are Leigh`s nearest rivals all have Academy Teams funded by the RFL. There is also the small matter of which opposition teams a Leigh Academy team could play. The current Academy System is a closed shop, which is totally unfair. Hence criticising clubs that have been essentially excluded from this cartel, about not developing their own players is wrong.'" Quote Clubs whose applications were unsuccessful have been provided with an explanation, and advised that they will be able to reapply in 2024. These clubs will be able to operate Development Academies which are run in conjunction with Further Education Institutions, and play in the highly competitive Colleges competition. This does not cause the same level of disruption to the community game, with matches played over the winter/spring season. Super League clubs will be required to run Reserves when that competition returns in 2022, and other clubs will have the option of applying to do so '" https://rugby-league.com/article/35148/ ... 20Warriors. Run a development academy, invest time and resources into the young players, gain elite academy status. Its a simple path, though some teams continue to refuse the investment and resources and then are shocked they lose "elite" status...

Very naive.

Toulouse should be given a pass, just like Catalans were.

Do the arguments then deployed about Cats at the time not now equally apply to Toulouse? Of course they do.

What are your thoughts on James MCDonnell who Leeds have signed for next year apparently?

Why’s that?

I’m sick of the promoted sides coming up and trying to sign players from the scraps that are left. Leigh have gambled and gone early and presuming they come up, it should blow things open and that’s no bad thing IMO.

Agreed they've signed well this season unlike the last few times they've come up I think Leigh will be competitive in super league

Tonight’s game has shown the desperate need to sign a natural attacking centre. Isa and Bibby were embarrassing and Newman showed what a top centre is about.

With Gildart going to the Dolphins via Leeds then it doesn’t leave us many other targets. I wonder if Wardle or Leutele are leaving given Huddersfield have signed Naiqama on a 2 year deal for next year.

We have to get it sorted as Thornley has been plagued with injuries and KPP could be going. Halsall should be promoted for other spot

Tonight just puts a focus on the position and it’s much needed. Everyone was rank tonight but the centre position has been neglected for too long here. It is a key position and a specialist position and we have to stop just making do. I honestly doubt there’s a club spending less on its centres now Hardaker has gone. I very much doubt Bibby or Thornley are on top money and Halsall would be on even less. They are the three centres in the squad, with anybody else simply playing out of position.

McDonnall going to Leeds for 2023. Disappointing to lose another quality young player but we can’t keep them all.

It’s the boom to bust mentality. No development in youth.

They have the opportunity to run a development academy but choose not to.

For sustained success as a club they need the infrastructure, they simply show no intent in developing that.

I absolutely agree with all of that and it’s something that needs sorting in the longer term and not just at Leigh but across the game. I do think in the shorter term it’s no bad thing for the game having a team in the league who aren’t a nailed on cert to be relegated though. That can drive standards elsewhere and doesn’t give every one a safety net. It’s a short term view though but it’s where we’re at currently.

If Halsall isn't going to get a chance in our first team then he needs to go to another lower table Super League team on loan to get more experience rather than playing for Newcastle he's too good for that level

Plenty talent in the Leigh area, shown by everyone going to Warrington, Saints and a few at Wigan.

no they didnt, they have had their last 2 academy applications rejected twice.....

Huddersfield have signed Naquarma (spell) and Bibby, no way they’ll have King off Warrington with his huge contract. Wire fans thinking he’ll just go away are deluded.

Hudds Naquarma Bibby

Wire King Ma’tuatia

Leaves Wardle to us.

That would upset Powell.

Where's Leutele? Cudjoe is playing on next year as well. Something has to give somewhere.

Good question mate; I’d guess Australia.

They can still run an Academy.

The fact their development systems were so poor the last 2 times means they failed to be part of the elite Academy program. There is absolutely no reason why they cannot however run an Academy program outside that much like Featherston have done.

it wasnt poor it was rejected, they can have an academy but cannot play games v academies, so they could only play salford as they were refused also, they got rejected but newcastle accepted...shows the RFL for what it is again...useless

Wigan with Wardle

Did you not read the last link I posted on this topic?

Leigh are more than free to set up and run a development academy. There is a development league which is run jointly with the student RL community and colleges who run successful teams, and with evidence of investment and resources apply for an elite licence a couple of years later.

Honestly how teams have made the RFL the bad guys for not accepting clubs taking money for running an academy and then pocketing it rather than actually investing in young players makes me really angry. Newcastle we’re able to evidence how they used the funding and committed to creating pathways for young players, Leigh didn’t. That doesn’t make the RFL useless, it makes Leigh useless.

We in this country are far far too dependent on too few academies to produce the vast majority of talent in the UK (one of which is Wigans academy) and the RFL were right for not accepting clubs taking the Michael about it.