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Ian Watson has fascinating say on the problem with reserves rugby league

A recent talking point in Super League has been whether or not the reserves league is at a strong enough level to help develop young players.

Last week Huddersfield Giants named a star studded side against Wakefield Trinity’s reserves and won 66-4.

On this Watson said:

“I would say all the boys had a good hit out last week in our reserves team and it was good for them to play all together. There’s a few guys who stood up in there who pushed themselves towards the first team.”

He was also impressed by new signing, Harry Rushton in the reserves: “He’ll be with the squad but he won’t start. His performance at the weekend I thought he showed he was a different level. He’s going along really nicely and I don’t think it’ll be long before he’s actually featuring.

“He had a little bit of an injury during pre-season which probably held him back a little bit but since he’s been back he’s been phenomenal and I thought he was outstanding in the reserves.”

He then revealed where the reserves need to be moving forward:

“It’s massive for us, I always remember when the reserves were reserves and the level of competition that entailed was huge. In terms of development and getting younger players going up against men you saw where they were at and if they could handle it, or if they needed more development.

“For us last week to have the team that we had in the reserves I think it was a positive for that competition. You’d like every team to be able to approach it that way as well but obviously some teams don’t have that depth in squads so they rely on the younger players.

“That’s probably where that competition is at the moment, there’s probably a little built of an imbalance but there’s some great players and great teams in there.”

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