U18 Academy League Finals Day

[Margin_Walker]

Being streamed this year for the first time for anyone at a loose end. 3rd/4th place game (Bristol v Leicester) and Final (LI v Northampton) to come



Teams for the final

[Mellsblue]

Four players from Bedford, including two listed as Blues Jnrs, in the Saints squad. Sigh.

[Margin_Walker]

Hell of a start to the final

12 - 12 after 18 minutes

[Margin_Walker]

LI win a really tight game in the end 27 - 19. Saints have some brilliant individuals in the likes of Cousins and Pollock, but LI put the team performance together there. Good to see and a big deal for these lads.

Tough for Saints losing in the final two years in a row.

[fivepointer]

Write up here - https://nextgenxv.com/2023/02/20/premie ... ay-review/

[Puja]

Interesting to read how lowly Exeter's academy were - 13th and only just beating out "Midlands West" whom I assume are weakened by other clubs predating on them after the demise of Worcester. Seems to fit with the anecdotal theory of Exeter going early 2010s!Leicester and not focussing on their academy or bringing through very many young players.

Puja

[Slater582]

Interesting to read how lowly Exeter's academy were - 13th and only just beating out "Midlands West" whom I assume are weakened by other clubs predating on them after the demise of Worcester. Seems to fit with the anecdotal theory of Exeter going early 2010s!Leicester and not focussing on their academy or bringing through very many young players.

Puja

Their only player in the current England U20 squad (Fisilau) joined them from Wasps. I don't recall them having any players in the U20 squad last campaign.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Be very interesting to see the England U18 side named, there's a while heap of very good players in this age group.

[Margin_Walker]

Other than his brief cameo the other day for the U20s, this was the first time I'd seen Cousins play. He looks scary to play against and you can see why he's been fast tracked.

Pollock we know about, but Tuipoltu too really stands out. He's had a great season for LI and is so powerful both sides of the ball. He's U17, but has been part of the U18 camps run pre Christmas. Switch to hooker is probably a smart one long term, as he doesn't look like he's going to be particularly tall.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Other than his brief cameo the other day for the U20s, this was the first time I'd seen Cousins play. He looks scary to play against and you can see why he's been fast tracked.

Pollock we know about, but Tuipoltu too really stands out. He's had a great season for LI and is so powerful both sides of the ball. He's U17, but has been part of the U18 camps run pre Christmas. Switch to hooker is probably a smart one long term, as he doesn't look like he's going to be particularly tall.

Has looked excellent for Harrow. Real prospect. Good judo pedigree in him too.