Offside Monkey wrote:Even before professionalism in RU, you had private schools like Kirkham offering scholarships to u17 and u18 internationals players.

Rogues Gallery wrote:Wiga hace now formed a partnership with Lancaster University that will allow some young players the opportunity to further their education whilst in Wigan academy.

It's a step in the right direction.

Ski wrote:I can't remember which school it was, but I went to watch mini-ski play up in the North East. While walking round the halls, I noticed the Underwood brothers names. I remembered then a friend who I was best mates with all the way through school down south. His dad had got one into school based on Rugby ability but suffered an injury that was career ending back then. I was at the same school as he attended. And all around the walls, school boy internationals.

Greenwood (I think) got the same over Blackburn way.

The problem we have, are such specialist powerhouse schools going for Rugby League?

Rogues Gallery wrote:I'm up for debate on this one.
Yes there are flaws in the proposal, and I've always advocated pro clubs forming alliances with the local amateur clubs, but throwing money at young players does not make them better.

What Brian Noble is advocating is cherry picking some of the best Rugby Union talent.

I accept that we (as a sport) have to be able to afford it, and I presume that is why he was looking at the sponsorship and image rite route.

Surely by spreading the net further we have a better chance of bringing top class talent into the game.

I have some thoughts on that as well which I'll share on here at a later date.

I really don't think that we as game can afford to be so insular.