SAINTS have signed 15 players from their top rated Scholarship scheme.

Following a successful campaign that saw the under 16s team win seven from eight, including the scalps of Wigan, Warrington and Leeds, the lads have put pen to paper on two-year deals.

All 15 were part of the recent Australia tour which culminated in hard victories over Wests Tigers and Penrith Panthers.

They are now embedded in the Under 19s Academy and are deep into their first pre-season training campaign.

Additionally, 14 of them have started on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) scheme that runs alongside their college commitments.

It is designed to give the players extra training and education around becoming an elite athlete.

“These lads have been involved on Scholarship for some time and have continually demonstrated their potential as Super League players for the future,” Derek Traynor, Saints Under 19s Head Coach/AASE manager, said. “As Australian tourists, they join an Academy squad full of competition, and this challenge I’m sure will help to drive them onto the next stage of their development and rugby careers.

“They are a credit to the Community Clubs that have nurtured them and the Scholarship coaches that have refined their skills over the previous few years.”

Players with position and community clubs.

Aaron Smith, Hooker, Blackbrook Royals.

Ben Morris, Second Row, Blackbrook Royals.

Chris Worrall, Second Row, Leigh Miners Rangers.

Danny Richardson, Scrum Half, Halton Hornets.

David Eccleston, Centre/Wing, Blackbrook Royals.

Jake Spedding, Centre, Blackbrook Royals.

James Nicholl, Prop, Blackbrook Royals.

Joe McLoughlin, Prop, Blackbrook Royals.

Jonah Cunningham, Loose Forward/Hooker, Blackbrook Royals.

Lewis Fairhurst, Scrum Half/Hooker, Hindley.

Lewis Hatton, Second Row, Clock Face Miners.

Liam Cooper, Second Row, Blackbrook Royals.

Morgan Knowles, Stand Off/Loose Forward, Barrow Island.

Philip Atherton, Prop, Orrell St James.

Ricky Bailey, Full Back, Shevington Sharks.