Looking at the Team sheet I would say that Leeds played a lot more of the older age lads than Wigan. I think the oldest Wigan player was Connor Farrell - Who I thought was outstanding and really stood up to a much bigger pack.



The halves were Joe Prior (7) and Jake Shorrocks (6). Joe got replaced by Jamie Doran who was later replaced by Tyler Whittaker.



I was amazed the game was actually played, it was bloody freezing, they were still clearing the snow of the pitch when the Wigan lads arrived.



Wigan Team:

(1) Tierney, (2) Scrivens, (3) Grimes, (4) Gildart, (5) Baggley, (6) Shorrocks, (7) Prior, (icon_cool.gif Brooks, (9) Wright, (10) Austin, (11) Beecham, (12) Pugsley (13) Farrel, (14) Doran, (15) Sutton, (16) Bretherton, (17) Gregson, (1icon_cool.gif Whittaker, (19) Waterworth, (20) Fell, (21) Sharrett.

How did Luke Waterworth go? He looks a really intelligent ball playing hooker (at last) Also surpised David Thompson (sp) didn't get a game.

Luke did ok when he came on at the back end of the second half, he didn't get much game time with Callum Wright and Jamie Doran playing.



David Thompson has been injured so has missed quite a lot of preseason which I presume is the reason why he didn't play.

Do you know how Chris Taylor is doing? The last time I spoke to him was back in august 2011 and he said he would probably be out for about 12 months.

Still a couple of weeks away I believe.

Looking at that Wigan team it looks as though only Connor Farrell is in his last year at U19's.

There are 10 first years (last year U16)

10 second year (all U17 last year) although they played at U18 level.

Sam brooks,Connor Farrell,Chris Taylor,Dom manfredi,not sure about Rhys pugsley are all on their last year at u19"s,Chris hasn't played for over 12 months due to injury but is back in training (no contact/defense work for another couple of months) big year for these lad's

I've just watched the full game on Wigan t.v. Leeds found a lot of space down Wigans right hand side, I think five or six of their tries came down that side.

Nick Gregson looked good when he came on.

I can't wait to see both of these teams play at full strength and i think the new u/19 competition will be a big improvement on the past under 20 comps.

Is this close to a full strength team ?



1. Lewis Tierney

2. Joe Burgess

3. Chris Taylor

4. Oliver Gildart

5. Dom Manfredi

6. Ryan Hampshire

7. George Williams

8. Ryan Sutton

9. Callum Wright

10. Ben Austin

11. Rhys Pugsley

12. Chris Rowe

13. Connor Farrell

I'd probably have Rob Lever in there and then the emerging youngsters like Gregson, Thompson, Fell, Waterworth, Whittaker, Shorrocks, Bretherton etc will also get some game time this year.



I think it'll be a two horse race for the title (Wigan & Leeds)

In my opinion in the early part if the season my strongest team would be



1. Lewis Tierney

2. Joe Burgess

3. Ellis Grimes

4. Oliver Gildart

5. Dom Manfredi

6. Ryan Hampshire

7. George Williams

8. Ryan Sutton

9. Callum Wright

10. Ben Austin

11. Rhys Pugsley

12. Connor Farrell

13. Rob Lever



Subs: Jamie Doran ? ? ?

Rogues, i forgot about Rob Lever.

Also, i'm not sure if Chris Rowe is at Wigan or Leigh.