Kear is concerned by the loss of young talent

The latest player to move is Wigan's Chris Ashton, who will join Northampton at the end of the Super League season.

"From what I've read he's getting �140,000 a year. That's a heck of a lot and if you're 20 it's bound to turn your head," Kear told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Perhaps it's up to us as a game to look after our youngsters better and reward them to make sure they stay."

England player Ashton scored 14 tries in 18 starts for Wigan last season and was one of the few bright points of what was generally a very poor season.

He was shortlisted for Super League's young player of the year and Wigan were keen to keep him, but chairman Maurice Lindsay said there was no way they could justify matching Northampton's offer for such a young player.

606: DEBATE Is rugby league doing enough to keep its young players?

"The club has tried extremely hard to convince him his future is in rugby league," added Wigan coach Brian Noble.

"I am not sure at this stage of his career whether Chris is making the right decision, however we wish him well for the future."

Former Wigan players Andy Farrell, Jason Robinson and Brian Carney have all previously moved to rugby union later in their careers.

Other younger rugby league players to change codes recently include Karl Pryce (Bradford to Gloucester), Stephen Myler (Salford to Northampton) and Chev Walker (Leeds to Bath).