Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:13 am
Raggs wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:42 am
Just reading that Oscar Beard views himself/is viewed as a 13. Which is good, because we're struggling for 13s at the moment...
I've spent the last 18-24 months thinking we might as well pick Freeman there because he offered something and looked a little slow on the wing. But between the two we might have the makings of a centre pairing, which led me to wondering just how often England have picked (have even been able to pick) two centres with decent physicality and speed? Now just the minor quibble of can they play rugby and make decisions at test level, luckily as I recall from conversions around Burgess that latter part is easy
Freeman... slow? When did that happen?
And I don't see how Beard/Freeman makes a centre pairing, unless I'm misunderstanding you. Neither of them are 12s.
Beard is a schoolboy 13 who was playing wing early on for Quins but 13 is definitely his preferred position. I'd prefer it if he didn't go walkabout in defence so often but I'm pleased he's kicked on in recent weeks. He's not a live international option, though, he's far too callow. Definitely has what it takes to compete physically at the top level, which is great, but he started the season as 3rd choice at Quins behind Northmore and Joseph, and both of those players are currently far better attackers and more assured defenders.
1 try in 870 minutes of rugby this season is not prime attacking form... Joseph has 5 tries in 10 matches and we all know what Northmore can do.