Re: tomkins out until easter : Fri Nov 13, 2015 1:12 pm  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

It will be interesting to see what happens to Eastmond, as unless the new england coach has a change of heart he's some way down the pecking order even if Burgess isn't being shoehorned in ahead of him - I think an earlier poster was right in saying that he'd already been dropped from the England squad before they picked the final squad.

Eastmond wouldn't get an offer from the NRL, and SL is unlikely to match his Bath wages even if he wanted to come back. Sadly we'll probably see him play out his career as an RU centre, instead of the RL halfback he could have been.

I think this is a good point, with a potential coach coming from the Southern Hemisphere they may well introduce a different mentality with England. Many have questioned England's infatuation with playing big strong crash centres over centres with more skill as a ball player. The inside centre is a position which can be played very differently depending on how you want the team to play and who you have at 10 and 13. I believe Eastmond is also fast enough to play as an attacking 13, I think the main concern is his defence in midfield.

Re: tomkins out until easter : Fri Nov 13, 2015 5:32 pm  

Pie Eyed wrote:

You sure about that?

If the Eastmond that left - or rather the Eastmond prior to announcing his RU deal (you know. The one that could actually be ärsed to run and tackle) - returned, then i would agree wholeheartedly.

However, after so long NOT being at the heart of the team, controlling things, I'm really not sure what he would add - At least until he had at least a year IMO to get back his speed (both of body and mind) and remember what to do in a game where he can't hide.

You talk as if SL is awash with quality players. Last season you had guys like Tim Smith, O'Brian, Wilkin, Pryce etc all getting plenty of game time. You've got absolutely average journey men in Smith & Gale fighting it out for an England shirt FFS.

Don't see how Eastmond, even the no heart version, wouldn't be equal or above some of these guys.

Re: tomkins out until easter : Sat Nov 14, 2015 10:09 am  

sergeant pepper wrote:

You talk as if SL is awash with quality players. Last season you had guys like Tim Smith, O'Brian, Wilkin, Pryce etc all getting plenty of game time. You've got absolutely average journey men in Smith & Gale fighting it out for an England shirt FFS.

Don't see how Eastmond, even the no heart version, wouldn't be equal or above some of these guys.

Difficult to argue with that IMO.

Re: tomkins out until easter : Sat Nov 14, 2015 7:11 pm  

I can't wait to see Sam back in SL next season as our competition has certainly missed him
My only concern regarding Sam would be that if he has lost any of his pace as a result of his injury then he might not be as dangerous as he was previously

Re: tomkins out until easter : Sat Nov 14, 2015 8:01 pm  

That beard has to go.