Thacker showed against Gloucester that he has potential he just needs to develop a bit more. Tuilagi had a very consistent Anglo-Welsh Cup, works tirelessly and obviously Bakewell believes in his potential (as I have always done). Looking forward to hopefully seeing both of these during preseason.
Neither has done enough for me and holding a different opinion to JP14 sits just fine with me.
Retaining two more of the under 18 group would've been more productive in my opinion.
I do really rate Jordan (who I hope you are referring to) but would it have been too early for him to be in the senior squad?
No not at all what I was referring to.
Regarding Jordan it's far too early to make such claims unless he can freakishly stand out early like Isiekwe, but so far I have not seen that level of potential from Jordan who looked way out of his depth last season in the one senior match that I witnessed, nothing severely wrong in that but the step up is yet to be made and it's those last steps that'll be the hardest to climb!
Like all youngsters Thacker and Tuilagi have potential, but Thacker needs to clean up the loose play and Tuilagi needs more intensity and I don't believe that is an unreasonable statement to make, it's common sense!
I thought that some of the under 18's let go were better potential, had more pace and intensity about their game.
Freddie Tuilagi will not get any better, he hardly stood out when playing in the National leagues last season.
The only reason he is still on the playing staff is that Manu likes to have a family member around, and as soon as he moves on so will Freddie
We will see over the coming season as to who is right hopefully Mark62, in the Als with Kalamafoni, Denton, Mapapalangi all possibly away that only leaves with us Tuilagi and Thompson as our number 8s in autumn.
Formerly of Burbaaage (not Inkleh), now up north at uni
A back row of Williams,Evans,BOC looks nice to me while everyone's away. We do have Thompson anyway so thankfully the inclusion of Freddie in the AP doesn't look likely. Nothing against him and hope I'm proved wrong but he doesn't look like he can make the grade unfortunately.
Rugbyflanker wrote: ↑Fri Jul 13, 2018 4:42 pm
A back row of Williams,Evans,BOC looks nice to me while everyone's away. We do have Thompson anyway so thankfully the inclusion of Freddie in the AP doesn't look likely. Nothing against him and hope I'm proved wrong but he doesn't look like he can make the grade unfortunately.
To be fair I would like to see us use both Evans and O’Connor in the back row.
Formerly of Burbaaage (not Inkleh), now up north at uni
Not the only guy at all. I was just making the point that I would rather have BOC out or position than include Freddie and put together a back row showing that. My preferred starting BR with everyone available is Kala,BOC,Thompson. Denton as an impact sub.
Hopefully one preseason game we will have Thompson start with Denton on the sub and then swap them around the other to see as to which is better as a starter or a finisher
Formerly of Burbaaage (not Inkleh), now up north at uni
JP14 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 13, 2018 7:33 pm
Hopefully one preseason game we will have Thompson start with Denton on the sub and then swap them around the other to see as to which is better as a starter or a finisher
From what I saw in the AP last season it's Thompson every day of the week. Powerful, mobile, aggressive and decent at the breakdown. An excellent signing. I think Denton is a little bit of a show pony, best to get him attacking tired legs with his acceleration.