Stefan Ratchford and Richard Myler are two of the hottest properties in Super League.

They were team mates at Salford – they came to the fore at The Willows but are not rivals there anymore following Myler’s end of season move to Warrington.

Their rapid rise and development is a major boost for the English game at international level.

It’s been said, they will form the backbone of future Test teams but so far this season it’s been very much a case of contrasting fortunes.

Myler is earning rave reviews with Warrington leading the way but Ratchford found himself dropped from the Salford starting line-up last weekend and ended up playing for the second string. This raised a few eyebrows.

Ratchford’s second full season in the top flight was always going to be tough but he was relishing the challenge at the start of the year having been called up for England.

Bobbie Goulding recently raved about him but did call for an experienced scrumhalf to play alongside him in order to protect Ratchford.

And British rugby league legend Alex Murphy feels clubs like Salford should persevere with such home grown stars as Ratchford.

"I rate Ratchford highly – he has something about him," said Murphy. "Ratchford may be young but his pride would have been hurt by being left out. But knowing the lad, he will need to show just what a fighter he is. He’ll bounce back, it’s only a blip.

"He should be thinking it’s now up to me to show certain people what I’m really all about. The lad should remember that ability doesn’t go away and he does have a talent.

"The thing about Ratchford is the fact he’s a specialist stand-off and they’ve become something of a rarity in our game. At long last we’re again seeing wingers score tries.

"Lads like Ratchford need to be given every opportunity because they are our future. Home grown talent must always be encouraged. I for one want to see far more English players within our game."

Meanwhile, two former Cowboys are set to come out with guns blazing for a Super League duel on Sunday.

Salford’s trip to Wakefield could see Aussie front-rower Ray Cashmere returning and facing his old mate Shane Tronc who joined Trinity at the start of the season.

They once formed the backbone of a formidable pack at North Queensland but both decided to try their arm in Super League with two of the competition’s less fashionable clubs.

Cashmere, the strapping six-footer, has had a big impact at Salford while Tronc has quickly hit the ground running in Trinity’s colours.

Ian Millward was their coach at the Cowboys ands he got the best out of them. He speaks highly of both the men who could have a big say in determining the outcome of Sunday’s showdown.

Cashmere is hoping to return after missing the last four games with a calf injury.

Millward said: "These two guys are a couple of very good modern-day front-rowers. If they face each other at the weekend, it won’t be a brutal clash because they both take pride in their performance and know it’s their job to contribute to the team. You will not find a better pair of good honest hard-working forwards.

"I’ve a great deal of time for Ray because he can give size and confidence to any team. Ray always hits the line, he can offload brilliantly and for a big man he has very good mobility.

"He maximises his strengths and utilises them accordingly. Both are two very good pros who can be depended upon to do the job expected of them."