Today we’re going to rank the 10 best youngsters currently playing in Super League. Using the same criteria for the Young Player of the Year award, only players aged 21 or under at the start of this season are eligible.
10. Jack Walker (Leeds Rhinos)
Making his debut in 2017, Walker burst onto the scene and became Super League’s youngest ever Grand Final winner – aged just 18 years and 60 days – in his first professional season. Injury problems have hampered the 20-year-old’s progress of late, but he still remains a future England full-back. His latest six-month layoff is a huge blow and this year’s competition will be taken up a few notches when the quick, evasive and fearless no.1 returns to action. Walker scored three tries and created another two in his four appearances this season, with the Rhinos hoping he will return to the field and join the long list of modern day greats in the years to come.
9. Louis Senior (Huddersfield Giants)
Much like the aforementioned Walker, Louis Senior is another youngster who feels like he has been around forever. Having made his debut in 2018, he is now a regular in the Huddersfield side and has taken his performances up a notch this year. There were worries that the winger would be the victim of increased competition in the Giants backline following the arrival of Ashton Golding, but he has retained his place and repaid the faith shown in him by coach Simon Woolford – scoring three tries so far in 2020.
Louis Senior has scored 12 tries in 21 appearances for Huddersfield. Credit: News Images
8. Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)
One youngster who is probably not being talked about enough is Danny Walker. The ex-Widnes hooker has made six appearances in 2020, including two starts against Castleford and Hull FC, getting the nod ahead of England international Daryl Clark. His quality has been summed up by Clark recently, with the current Warrington no.9 tipping Walker to take over from him and become ‘a really good nine’ in a recent interview on Serious About Rugby League.
Warrington signed Danny Walker from Widnes in 2018. Credit: News Images
7. Matthew Storton (Hull KR)
It raised a few eyebrows at the start of the season when Tony Smith said that out of all his players, he was most excited by Matty Storton, but it’s now it’s easy to see why! The ex-Bradford prop is nearly six foot and weighs 100kg, making him one hell of a unit for someone his age. He has certainly made a splash in his six appearances in 2020 and could yet follow in the footsteps of a number of famous former Bulls forwards, with comparisons to Sam Burgess made by some journalists and coaches.
6. Liam Byrne (Wigan Warriors)
Standing at 6 foot 2, Irish international Liam Byrne is even bigger than Storton and weighs 113kg. He fits the no-nonsense Wigan mould perfectly and has already been trusted with six first-team appearances this season. The last two of them were from the start and head coach Adrian Lam has not been shy in talking up the-20-year-old’s ability, sending the more experienced Joe Greenwood and Jack Wells out on loan, such is his belief in Byrne.
Liam Byrne has become a regular in Wigan’s 17-man squad this season. Credit: News Images
5. Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
Wigan have a whole host of youngsters bursting into their first team but Harry Smith perhaps has the best future ahead of him. With Thomas Leuluai now in the twilight of his career, Smith looks like the heir to the no.7 jersey and most certainly the future of Wigan’s halves. Having already made six appearances this season, playing alongside Jackson Hastings, the 20-year-old has not looked out of place and has future England international written all over him. The challenge now is for Smith to make himself a mainstay in the Wigan side for the remainder of this season.
Harry Smith has excelled in the halves for Wigan so far in 2020. Credit: News Images
4. Jack Welsby (St Helens)
St Helens have a proven track record of producing fantastic youngsters, especially in the backs, and Welsby looks like the latest star in the making. Traditionally a stand-off, Welsby has featured at full-back for the majority of the 2020 campaign and played there in the World Club Challenge, due to the absence of Lachlan Coote. Much like teammate Jonny Lomax, Welsby has the ability to play several positions and his versatility is already proving useful, scoring three tries from the no.1 role already this season. Whatever position he plays in the future, this lad has the world at his feet and is set for stardom.
3. Morgan Smithies (Wigan Warriors)
Wigan’s dominance at academy level could soon be transferred to Super League with so many quality youngsters coming through the ranks. Back-rower Morgan Smithies has set the precedent having already established himself as a regular first-teamer at the age of 19. An ever-present for the Warriors this season, Smithies is very much the heir to Sean O’Loughlin and has the potential to replicate and potentially surpass his achievements over the next decade. The dynamic forward will most likely become a Wigan legend and is a future England captain in the making.
Morgan Smithies, 19, has already made 24 Super League appearances for Wigan. Credit: News Images
2. Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
Since taking on the no.3 jersey vacated by former skipper Kallum Watkins, Newman has reached a new level and already looks international class. The 20-year-old’s excellent form was rewarded with a call-up to the latest England squad, and he could replicate the achievements of former Leeds great Keith Senior if he continues to improve over the next few years. Deceptively strong in defence, Newman is at his best going forward and has shown up several experienced centres so far this season, with his performances against Hull KR, Warrington and Toronto enough to suggest he will become a legend at Headingley in the near future.
Harry Newman was recently called into Shaun Wane’s first England squad. Credit: News Images
1. Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers)
Yes, Jake Trueman is still eligible for the Young Player of the Year award. Having made his debut in 2017, it feels like the Castleford playmaker has been around forever as his skillset and prominence seems to grow year on year. Danny Richardson’s arrival at the Jungle has also created one of the most exciting half-back pairings in the league, with the former Saints man complimenting Trueman’s game superbly in the early rounds of the 2020 season. Nothing seems to faze the 21-year-old, who thrives under pressure and having already claimed the Young Player of the Year award in 2018, don’t be surprised to him win it again this year. A future international star and Super League Man of Steel, Trueman could attract NRL interest in the coming years but still has plenty to achieve at Castleford before then.
