Phil Clarke reveals the Super League side who is “the best at youth development”

It has been proven in Super League history that you can throw as much money at a team as you want but it won’t necessarily yield success.

For some reason, success always seems founded on the development of young British players within a club’s academy.

Perhaps an indicator of this is the fact that only once has a side without a British halfback won the Grand Final: Bradford Bulls in 2001.

This is why we have seen three teams dominate the league since 2006 in Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Leeds Rhinos.

They have the three best academies it seems but now Sky Sports’ Phil Clarke has outright named the best team at youth development in Super League.

He said:

“The thing I learnt is that St Helens are still the best at youth development. Players like Sam Royale and George Delaney are coming in and are playing at a top level.”

This came as he praised St Helens’ for their win over Warrington Wolves adding:

“I think Warrington are lucky they didn’t play Wigan and St Helens in the first two rounds of the season.

“All their fans thought they were going to a Grand Final and now they are one more defeat away from a meltdown.”

Saints meet Catalans Dragons next week but only have one player – one of their finest academy products Jack Welsby – set to play for England.