Ian Watson on Championship talent & Swinton connections
Huddersfield boss Ian Watson says he is a fan of watching the Championship and believes in promoting players from lower divisions to Super League.
Hull KR’s Frankie Halton has previously encouraged Super League clubs to monitor lower leagues for new recruits. The 25-year-old made his debut in the Super League in round one against Wigan, having only signed for Swinton in 2019.
Halton was signed from Leigh Miners Rangers and was picked up by Featherstone for 2021 before impressing enough to earn a full-time contract with the Robins.
Warrington’s Matty Ashton was signed from Swinton ahead of the 2020 season.
And Ian Watson is another head coach, like Tony Smith, who keeps an eye on the Championship and League 1.
Ian Watson on lower league talent
He said: “I was watching some of the Championship games the other week to have a little look in.
“I like watching the Championship. There’s always a few players that may have just been missed or have been let go from a club.
“I’m a big believer that not everybody develops at the same rate. There might be somebody in that Championship or League 1 that can actually step up and can become a Super League player.
“I used to bring a lot of players in like Jack Ormondroyd, Kriss Brining, Dan Murray, people like them through to Salford who were probably Championship players at that time and they’ve gone on and done really well.”
“I watch it (Championship) all the time.”
Halton: Frankie Halton encourages Super League clubs to monitor lower leagues
Swinton connections
Watson enjoyed three spells at Swinton before joining their backroom staff. That move started his coaching journey, later joining Salford before his move to the Giants.
The Lions are currently joint-favourites to win League 1 in 2022 following their relegation, and Watson is cheering them on back to the Championship.
“Swinton is obviously a club my dad supported for years and still goes and watches all the time,” Watson said.
“He’d rather go and watch Swinton than come and watch the teams I’m coaching to be fair!
“All my family go down there. Hopefully, Allan Coleman can do a great job this year and they can get promoted into the Championship.”
READ MORE: Swinton to relish ‘promotion favourites’ tag, says coach
