5 Young Englishmen to watch this season???

First topic message reminder :

Do you agree??

http://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/england-countries/five-young-englishmen-watch-aviva-premiership/

Nowell's due to play in next Monday's A game so should be available in a couple of weeks if there's no reaction. LCD has just started running in training, so he'll be a bit longer.

Slade playing at 13 for Exeter is interesting, and it sounds like it's an experiment that may continue for a while, at least until other injuries clear up. It increases his attractiveness as a utility back (he's played 15 for Albion in the past), but I still imagine his future is specialist 10. He's up against Manu and Tigers this weekend, though, so that'll be interesting.

Id rather not see Slade get used as a utility back.

I dont like seeing too many used like that. I prefer them to be nailed to one position.

Indeed Slade looks a prospect as he kind of crosses Burns / Ford /Ciprianis skills but looks like hes a bit tougher like Farrell.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Id rather not see Slade get used as a utility back.

I dont like seeing too many used like that. I prefer them to be nailed to one position.

Indeed Slade looks a prospect as he kind of crosses Burns / Ford /Ciprianis skills but looks like hes a bit tougher like Farrell.

i tend to agree, Geordie, and think in time he might be the best of the lot

Whenever i saw Slade last season, ball in hand he looked good, but kicking from hand and off the tee was average to poor. Is this why Steenson takes the 10 shirt?

I'd love to see Clifford come through, he looked fantastic for the U20's.

Nathan Earle deserves a shout although I think this season may be a little early for him. Other guys like Stephenson etc could really step up.

Thacker won't make it imo, he's just tiny for a front row player and the set piece struggles with him involved. He needs to add serious weight which could affect his game.

Have my doubts about Devoto, who's defence needs a bit of work and Matthews who just looks a bit average at this stage.

I was not impressed by Earle - seems like the sort of winger who will struggle when playing adult rugby.

I agree about thacker - but we will see what happens come november time when he may feature for tigers.

Tom Stephenson for me is the real deal. Nick Walshe may not have rated him - but every time I have seen him play for Saints he has shone.

I think Stephenson has looked a better player in the AP than the U20's LT.

Surprised you don't like Earle, he has it all for me. Not often an English winger has been nominated for U20 Player of year award (Wade??). I think he'll be an England player within 2 years.

With Earle, I just feel he looks big and quick at U20 level - but seemed to be lacking any guile. I shall reserve judgement till I see him in AP action. Kibirige excites me more from the current U20 crop of wingers - however Anthony Watson is the guy I like the look of most.

I'm not so sure on Watson, I think Earle has much more potential. Kibridge could be a real player if he gets the game time, needs to smarten up his defence but that will come.

Earle could be out for a while unfortunately.

It'll be interesting to see how much gametime Kibirige gets this season.

Of course he's recovering from his broken leg...i would imagine the rehab is just about complete now...havent heard much fro KP so cant confirm. Then it'll be easing him back in i assume with a few games for Blaydon or Tynedale and the A side.

Sgt, he'll have to improve his defence just to cope with training. He'll be up against the Tuilagis, Hammersley, Sinoti..etc.