Premiership squads and homegrown percentages for 2019/20

[Rossm]

Detailed analysis by Alex Shaw for RugbyPass:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/analysis-premiership-squads-and-homegrown-percentages-for-2019-20

For instance, did you know that we now apparently have the largest squad in the Prem at 64? Undoubtedly, our academy has suffered with the move to Cov but next season may be the first that we finally start really benefiting.

You do not need to be in the Far East to read this article. It is available worldwide.

[Rossm]

Here is the link to academy areas map published by the Estate Agents:

https://www.saracens.com/Media/Default/Attachments/DPP%20MAP.png

I didn't realise how small our area appears to be.

[Heathen]

Our area might be small but it does contain some 'quality' recruiting hotspots. RGS HW and KEGS Cov to name but two.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

With regards to recruitment areas, yes ours is dire. Because of the insane way junior rugby is organised (nothing has changed since I started to play some 50 years ago) - using county lines, we will always gets the scraps. Leicester get Leicestershire, Northampton get Northamptonshire, Worcester get Worcestershire. The contentious areas are South Warwickshire, a huge hunting ground for talent, the West Midlands (excluding Coventry) and Staffordshire (Worcester got handed all of these, not sure if Sale got some of Staffs) and Derbyshire (Tigers got this).

Arguably Wasps should have South Warwickshire, more of the West Midlands, some of Derbyshire and a lot of Staffordshire. What we should be hoping for is that Worcester get relegated and don't bounce back up. Then maybe we would get a better share of what is out there.

But, what happens if Coventry Rugby Club manage to get promoted, which is what they are currently angling for?

With regard to our squad size and academy, other than Bristol, we are a long way off where we need to be with homegrown talent in our own squad, but it IS improving, and what we have is quality. I think it will be another two to three seasons before we start to get to where we need to be.

[Chunky24]

There is another issue with academies in that a player can join a prem academy based on where they live, the club the play for or the school they go to. Some of the young talent who may live and play club rugby in Coventry often are offered places at prestigious Leicestershire schools so Tigers can pick them up or Warwick school so Worcester can pick them up.

[St Bruno]

Chunky, I think one of our academy lads is (or was) ex-Oakham School which, if that's right, means there is a degree of choice as to which clubs they can join. Or have I got that wrong?

[Chunky24]

Chunky, I think one of our academy lads is (or was) ex-Oakham School which, if that's right, means there is a degree of choice as to which clubs they can join. Or have I got that wrong?

I think what premiership rugby mean by academy catchment areas is principally for ages 13 - 18 for DPP/ junior acedemy routes, once they are going into club senior academies then there is the potential for a lot more movement e.g. Jacob Umaga from Tigers to Wasps but obviously clubs will try to keep their best Junior Academy players.
With home, club and school location all counting I imagine there is room for some creativity of recruitment at any age as well.

[BG]

Is this a PRL rule or a RFU rule? I'm not sure its right in restricting a 16 yr old as to which club he can choose to play for. I'm guessing its down to how far the parents are willing to travel.

Didn't Wuss kick up a fuss about the proposed training centre at Old Leamingtonians as it encroaches on their area.

[Chunky24]

Is this a PRL rule or a RFU rule? I'm not sure its right in restricting a 16 yr old as to which club he can choose to play for. I'm guessing its down to how far the parents are willing to travel.

Didn't Wuss kick up a fuss about the proposed training centre at Old Leamingtonians as it encroaches on their area.

Agreement between both PRL and RFU, designed a bit like the salary cap is intended in ensuring even spread and access to young talent.

Old Leams certainly was in Worcester area but think their main concern in wanting to keep that area was that it included Warwick School which I believe they did keep.

Cov Rugby are holding their u18 academy trials at Old Leams this summer as well.

[Shugs]

The area debate is a contentious one but overall in terms of the result I'm pleased to see the amount of academy promotions this year. Also, there are movements outside of academies that still involve youngsters e.g. Owlett and Stuart this year. It may not be as beneficial cap wise but there's plenty of examples of academy prospects switching early on.

[BG]

I see Owlett has bucked the trend and is living in Kenilworth. I wonder if the academy lads or younger players in the squad share houses?