MrPartridge wrote:Interesting to see the mixed reaction. Why wouldn't you want the current England 15? Eddie Jones clearly rates him and he's a great attacking full back. His scoring record is strong: 10 tries in 51 England games (so-so) but 51 from 184 Quins starts. Good defender too.
I'd agree he is a 15 and I hate it when we stick TV on the wing (he needs ball in space and gets far more at 15)... but what is not to like about having both options?
He may be the England 15 but the selection of the England team is somewhat different from a club. If a player becomes unavailable then EJ just picks another from the squad or, in the worst case, just goes into the AP and brings in the next in line from outside the EPS. That's a luxury that would be different to a club. It would be more difficult to justify paying international wages to a player who (really) only has one position and is well on the wrong side of 30. There are probably better options for the money, be they elsewhere in the AP, abroad or in the academy.
If Mike Brown is Quins through and through and so valuable, why would they be willing to let him leave? He would be a useful mentor perhaps, but then the club already has a 70+ cap full back on the coaching staff.
Wasn't there a story that Quins have secured Woodward should Bristol go down, maybe that's why they're potentially making space.
Failing that, at 31, maybe Brown is just angling for a big final deal?
BFG wrote:He is a high quality alternative Spicer.
Players will not play in every game with rotation and injuries etc.
There would be games when Veainu could do his thing from deep and then other games when perhaps another horse is better suited to the course.
If I recall correctly Quins have got the odd result over Sarries in recent times, I'm sure it'd be interesting to look closer at the part Brown had to play!
Oh I agree. My point was that for Mike Brown it doesn't make sense. He is first choice at Harlequins, here he would rotate with Veainu. I think players would do it if either moving for big money or for trophies. With Ford, Manu, Toouma etc on the books I doubt we could offer him that much. At Quins he is a star so will be one of the highest earners. As for trophies... we don't look like winning anything.
I have no idea what we could offer him financially but I expect he will want to stay in England until 2019.
If as rumoured Woodward could be on his way to Quins if Bristol go down then none of the rest of the top teams desperately need a full back, the choice for Brown is limited so I doubt it'll become an auction.
Some reckon we need a 15 who kicks off the tee, are there any, and I firmly believe that responsibility will be with Ford anyway!
I also think Veainu can be just as dangerous playing on the wing and he is Wade-esque in that area!
Brown would also bring some serious attitude with him, he is on a par with Farrell in that regard!
All that apart it's rare to have all fit and available at any one time these days!
Can't see it happening, was documented at some point last season that Mike Brown is on £320k per season at Harlequins - assuming he doesn't want to take a pay cut then surely we can't get tying that much salary cap up when clearly needs are greater elsewhere...
DC1989 wrote:Can't see it happening, was documented at some point last season that Mike Brown is on £320k per season at Harlequins - assuming he doesn't want to take a pay cut then surely we can't get tying that much salary cap up when clearly needs are greater elsewhere...
At 31 he isn't going to get that money again, and I honestly can't see him holding onto the 15 shirt till 2019 with Daley and Watson, to name 2 around. EJ does tend to do things by evolution rather than revolution.
Strawclearer if I remember correctly when last season Veianu was interviewed by LTTV he stated that his preferred position was on the wing and if Brown does come he could possibly be there but he will have strong opposition from JPP and Adam Thompstone who are currently both in good form.
Noddy555 wrote:Strawclearer if I remember correctly when last season Veianu was interviewed by LTTV he stated that his preferred position was on the wing and if Brown does come he could possibly be there but he will have strong opposition from JPP and Adam Thompstone who are currently both in good form.
Yes - not many sides will have 4 better wingers than Veainu, JPP, Thompstone and Betham. (Still like TV at 15 though!)
Happy days clearing straw from the pitch before the Baa-Baas games! KBO
Wear a Mask>Protect The NHS>Save Lives
