Boyd, Waller and Harrison pick their young players to watch at Saints

Manny Iyogun is tipped to have a big future

The question was posed at the online season ticket holders' forum as to which talented Academy players were set to make the step up in years to come.

And Boyd said: "We've got Manny Iyogun, who was probably in line to be the loosehead prop for England Under-20s this year.

"He's a big fella who has converted from the loose forwards into the front row.

"(Centre) Reuben Bird-Tulloch has come to us (from Saracens last summer) and is a good prospect.

"(Wing) Ollie Sleightholme has already played for some time and is still part of the Academy officially but has already started his career with the Saints.

"(Scrum-half) Connor Tupai is the same.

"(Flanker) JJ Tonks has already played a number of games with us and is still part of the Academy.

"From a budget control and development point of view, when you've got youngsters who can fill spots in your senior squad when necessary it's absolutely gold for their development and for managing our costs.

"We've got some exciting kids coming in for next year: (centre) Ethan Grayson continues the long line of Graysons coming into the Academy, there's a young lad called Kayde Sylvester (a lock) who we think is going to be an outstanding prospect so we've got some good kids coming through."

Waller said: "All of the boys Boydy mentioned are pretty sharp, especially Manny who is someone I'm going to look to take under my wing.

"He's a massive prospect and he could be something special.

"He's a big boy and has put on something like 20kg in the past six months or so and he's going to be one to look at.

"He's one for the future for sure."

And Harrison added: "It's JJ Tonks or Connor Tupai for me. Those two boys are outstanding.

"I've watched Connor play since he was a little fella chucking snowballs at cars so to see him playing out at the Gardens for the first team is pretty amazing.

"JJ Tonks has come in as a young fella and stepped up, playing against Leinster in the Champions Cup and holding his own.

"They are two very exciting prospects for the Saints."