Northampton vs Newcastle

[FKAS]

Freeman has good gas for a big fella.

he does. I really like him at 15, but he may well not get many games there for Saints, also hope his troublesome knee clears up

Still has plenty of strapping round it doesn't he, hopefully it's just precautionary. At this point playing wing might be better for him in terms of England chances as Steward is unlikely to be dropped but the wing spots are open and Freeman is a good finisher.

[Mikey Brown]

I’m trying to find a non-horrible way to say this but I’m hoping Furbank’s performance yesterday did something to prevent Eddie ever moving Steward again to fit him in.

[FKAS]

I’m trying to find a non-horrible way to say this but I’m hoping Furbank’s performance yesterday did something to prevent Eddie ever moving Steward again to fit him in.

I suspect that was Eddie looking ahead to the world cup and wondering if Furbank was worth persevering with and wether Steward could cover wing if required. Furbank would be a handy versatile sub option if he was a bit better.

[fivepointer]

Tbf Fairbank has been good for Saints this season. Yesterday he had a game to forget. It happens.

Blamire looked really good when he came on. Maybe Jones is on to something with him.

[FKAS]

Furbank has been excellent for Saints this season, there's just a big step up between club and international level and the extra scrutiny and lack of space at international level means he's just a bit to average for England. I suspect he'll be in the Saints 15 shirt for a while, though there is some serious competition coming out their academy with Freeman and Hendy.

[Adam_P]

Aye I suspect Freeman will end up playing most of his rugby on the wing, or maybe 13 if Jones has anything to do with it, despite being a better fullback than Furbank. I predict Hendy to usurp Furbank within the next 2 seasons.

[Timbo]

I’d say there’s a good possibility that next season will be Biggar’s last at Saints, which might prompt them to move Furbank to 10 full time?

Got to get more out of Sleightholme next season, cos he’s another seriously good wing in the making- international calibre talent imo.

[Banquo]

I’d say there’s a good possibility that next season will be Biggar’s last at Saints, which might prompt them to move Furbank to 10 full time?

Got to get more out of Sleightholme next season, cos he’s another seriously good wing in the making- international calibre talent imo.

He is, but unfortunately a sick note to date. And yes, Furbank at 10 is a good shout- for all the stick he gets, he's a talented player.

[Puja]

I’d say there’s a good possibility that next season will be Biggar’s last at Saints, which might prompt them to move Furbank to 10 full time?

Got to get more out of Sleightholme next season, cos he’s another seriously good wing in the making- international calibre talent imo.

He is, but unfortunately a sick note to date. And yes, Furbank at 10 is a good shout- for all the stick he gets, he's a talented player.

I'd also say that Furbank probably gets a bit more grief on here than he deserves. I think there's a very good player there - talented and skillful enough to have played a whole game at 10 for England at short notice, with a decent turn of pace and some good lines. Definitely not worth moving Steward for, but I'm not unhappy seeing him in England squads.

Puja

[FKAS]

I’d say there’s a good possibility that next season will be Biggar’s last at Saints, which might prompt them to move Furbank to 10 full time?

Got to get more out of Sleightholme next season, cos he’s another seriously good wing in the making- international calibre talent imo.

Biggar is 32 I reckon he'll readily agree another marquee deal with Saints to see out his career. Wales will likely move on from him after the world cup as well which will suit Saints down to the ground surely.

With the two Grayson lads still at Saints you do have plenty of homegrown options for playmaker.

[Banquo]

I’d say there’s a good possibility that next season will be Biggar’s last at Saints, which might prompt them to move Furbank to 10 full time?

Got to get more out of Sleightholme next season, cos he’s another seriously good wing in the making- international calibre talent imo.

He is, but unfortunately a sick note to date. And yes, Furbank at 10 is a good shout- for all the stick he gets, he's a talented player.

I'd also say that Furbank probably gets a bit more grief on here than he deserves. I think there's a very good player there - talented and skillful enough to have played a whole game at 10 for England at short notice, with a decent turn of pace and some good lines. Definitely not worth moving Steward for, but I'm not unhappy seeing him in England squads.

Puja

Agreed. He's looked a bit green positionally at 15 for me, and physically a little 'fragile'- but liked him at 10.

[Mellsblue]

He is, but unfortunately a sick note to date. And yes, Furbank at 10 is a good shout- for all the stick he gets, he's a talented player.

I'd also say that Furbank probably gets a bit more grief on here than he deserves. I think there's a very good player there - talented and skillful enough to have played a whole game at 10 for England at short notice, with a decent turn of pace and some good lines. Definitely not worth moving Steward for, but I'm not unhappy seeing him in England squads.

Puja

Agreed. He's looked a bit green positionally at 15 for me, and physically a little 'fragile'- but liked him at 10.

I know this won’t surprise people but….. I think it’s harsh to write him off at 15 for England as he’s been dropped in the deep end in torrential rain in his initial 6N and then a dysfunctional team in the last 6N. Both were difficult situations to show his skill set, ie his play making ability. That being said, they were all poor performances. I believe his age grade rugby was at 10 & 12 - he was certainly a 12 at school - so that may be where he ends up. Tbh, I’d rather Malins as the all round 15 than Furbank but that looks unlikely given the strange decision to turn him into a winger.

[FKAS]

I'd also say that Furbank probably gets a bit more grief on here than he deserves. I think there's a very good player there - talented and skillful enough to have played a whole game at 10 for England at short notice, with a decent turn of pace and some good lines. Definitely not worth moving Steward for, but I'm not unhappy seeing him in England squads.

Puja

Agreed. He's looked a bit green positionally at 15 for me, and physically a little 'fragile'- but liked him at 10.

I know this won’t surprise people but….. I think it’s harsh to write him off at 15 for England as he’s been dropped in the deep end in torrential rain in his initial 6N and then a dysfunctional team in the last 6N. Both were difficult situations to show his skill set, ie his play making ability. That being said, they were all poor performances. I believe his age grade rugby was at 10 & 12 - he was certainly a 12 at school - so that may be where he ends up. Tbh, I’d rather Malins as the all round 15 than Furbank but that looks unlikely given the strange decision to turn him into a winger.

He's had multiple chances and looked average in all of them. He's a good footballer but oddly agree with Banquo, he looks suspect positionally and competing in the air. As a versatile squad man he does a job and he isn't bad just meh. He'll be overtaken in the England pecking order but maybe not until after the world cup.

[Mellsblue]

I know this won’t surprise people but….. I think it’s harsh to write him off at 15 for England as he’s been dropped in the deep end in torrential rain in his initial 6N and then a dysfunctional team in the last 6N. Both were difficult situations to show his skill set, ie his play making ability. That being said, they were all poor performances. I believe his age grade rugby was at 10 & 12 - he was certainly a 12 at school - so that may be where he ends up. Tbh, I’d rather Malins as the all round 15 than Furbank but that looks unlikely given the strange decision to turn him into a winger.

He's had multiple chances and looked average in all of them. He's a good footballer but oddly agree with Banquo, he looks suspect positionally and competing in the air. As a versatile squad man he does a job and he isn't bad just meh. He'll be overtaken in the England pecking order but maybe not until after the world cup.

That exactly what I said…. but he’s had a grand total of 5 caps, one at 10, and he’s now definitely written off. Very harsh given the long leash others are given and the context I set out.

[Banquo]

The news is finally out . Well done Saints, and more importantly well done him

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61721771

[Banquo]

I’d say there’s a good possibility that next season will be Biggar’s last at Saints, which might prompt them to move Furbank to 10 full time?

Got to get more out of Sleightholme next season, cos he’s another seriously good wing in the making- international calibre talent imo.

Biggar is 32 I reckon he'll readily agree another marquee deal with Saints to see out his career. Wales will likely move on from him after the world cup as well which will suit Saints down to the ground surely.

With the two Grayson lads still at Saints you do have plenty of homegrown options for playmaker.

Biggar is very popular at Saints and in the area, so I'd think you are right.

[FKAS]

The news is finally out . Well done Saints, and more importantly well done him

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61721771

"Although Hinkley played twice in the Premiership Cup for the Chiefs, he failed to break back into the Premiership side and took up the chance to kick-start his career at Welford Road with a trial period which has now led to a contract."

The Beeb have the intern kid writing the rugby articles again it seems.

[Banquo]

The news is finally out . Well done Saints, and more importantly well done him

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61721771

"Although Hinkley played twice in the Premiership Cup for the Chiefs, he failed to break back into the Premiership side and took up the chance to kick-start his career at Welford Road with a trial period which has now led to a contract."

The Beeb have the intern kid writing the rugby articles again it seems.

lol good spot