Squad for Gateshead:
Sam Latus, Chris Heil, Alex Brown, Matty Beharrell, Keal Carlile, Jordan Cox, Rhys Lovegrove, Omari Caro, Danny Kelso, Matty Marsh, Evarn Tuimavave, James Green, Tyla Hepi, George Griffin, Sonny Esslemont, Aaron Ollett, Ryan Devaney, Josh Guzdek, Connor Robinson, Steven Holker

No real surprise to see its mainly a reserve-grade line-up but it does have a few big hitters in there - Cox, Lovegrove and Tui.

My guess at the line-up is:

Guzdek;
Brown, Heil, Latus, Caro;
Beharrell, Marsh/Robinson
Tui, Carlile, Green;
Cox, Griffin;
Lovegrove;
Bench: Green, Esslemont, Ollett, , Devaney (prop), Hepi, Kelso(full back), Holker (loose)

Gives the youngsters a shot of a first team place in the next few games if they impress & a chance to ease the coaching & backroom staff into the season, at least it is the first green shoots of the new rugby season, GREAT!

No Rich Beaumont or Adam Walker in the squad. I wonder if that makes them early favourites for the props jerseys against Catalans? There was talk of Beaumont going out on loan to Halifax so i guess that may be the case with him.

Good to see 3 under 18s in there, I hope they go well.

I make it 6 under 18s in the squad including Tom Sullivan who isnt listed but i am told is playing.

Holker.
Robinson.
Devaney
Sullivan.
Gudzek.
Marsh.


Could be wrong.

Your probably right, I am only familiar with 3 of the names from that age group, however many there are it is good & will give them some valuable experience.

Will be great for their development. A big pat on the back for Martin Dunn and his team that we are now able to turn out youngsters in these fixtures. I reckon that Steve Holker will be our youngest first teamer since John Wilkin.

You maybe right, however I remember thinking Ryan Devaney had something special, and Matty Marsh had a sublime step, it will be interesting to see if they can make the step up.

paul-t ......is go with beharall scrum half and mash off half as both are naturals in those positions

Holker has a bit of paul wellends in him .....in looks .....good fullback but likes to play loose forward ........was a little suprised that Hallet is not in the squad though

The academy side we have has some real strength in depth and is really exciting for the future of the club.

The person who mentioned Holker being very Wellens like is spot on. Hes a very intelligent player as well.

I'm glad to see the young players getting this kind of game time and experience - my understanding is that Hallett isn't in the side as he only returned from Australia last week so prob still jet lagged, I presume on some training regime down under.

Think the academy would have been stronger but as there is no under 20's anymore players like Sheriff and Peterson had nowhere to play which is a real shame IMO

That's what dual reg is for.

Are we dual reg with anyone yet?