I think the forwards [icarry[/i the piano and the backs play it.

He hasn't even had the impact of a young Roby yet, let alone Murphy!!

He should be on a decent contract, but the same as Longy? The bloke is a man of steel and 3 time Lance Todd winner.

Eastmond has a LONG way to go before we start throwing £100k+ at him. He needs to prove he can play a couple of months without picking up an injury for starters.

That's my major concern. There was a point on Saturday where he went in at dummy half and caught a boot on his shin. Whilst I agree it can be painful, he started limping like he'd had a prop forward land on it. Until he toughens up, there's a big question mark over that side of him.

Yeah I saw that. A touch of the Drogbas.

It's also the main reason I don't think he'd make it in Union.

Eastmond is looking a bit tougher these past 6 weeks, I think he will go OK for us next season.

If he is here, which he will be, hopefully...

Contracted for next season, it's the season after that looks dicey.

Which begs the question as to whether he should be given any responsibility next season if he's not going to be there for the long term. We'd be better served by having him as a luxury extra and bedding in Matty Smith or Jamie Ellis.

Agreed. We would be foolish to throw all our eggs in one basket, especially given that we do actually have options available to us next season. I'd definitely like to see more of what Ellis can offer as I haven't seen him play first grade yet (not being present at the two away matches we lost when the poor lad was dropped in at the deep end).

Fully agree. If he'd already signed he wouldn't be getting in the team now if it was up to me. Why develop a player for nothing? This is what makes me take the rumour with a pich of salt

It bit too small for yawnion anyway isn't he?

He hasnt signed yet.

But hes going to

Obviously. But for who?

Sale

And you know this because..........

Everyone knows this, everyone has heard it now. There is no smoke without fire. I'd be amazed to see him at Saints in 2011.

We should get rid now and certainly shouldn't be allowing him to play scrum half all year. If he's going they should play him from the bench as an impact player, we can't allow him to become an important player, then cause massive disruption again when he walks away to collect his coin.

I said this when the rumours first surfaced.

Its a lot of speculation based on offiahs dealing with myler, one year left on his contract, his perceived importance to the team, the jason robinson comparisons, we're skint etc etc.

It would be a major balls up by Saints to let him go now. They should have signed him up last year. The last thing Saints should be doing is letting the best young talent go to RU as this negates the plan to create a conveyor belt into the first team and they`ll all come sniffing.

I`m not convinced he is the natural successor to long BUT he is a serious talent.

It reminds me of the problem bradford had with pryce in that its difficult to know where his best position is but you have to get him into the 13.

But [iif[/i the rumours of him / Offiah demanding top dollar are true, and if RU are prepared to throw more cash at him than Saints are / can, there's not a lot we can do to stop it, is there?

Sign him up earlier and ban Offiah from dealing with the club. He's a parasite.

Because I know more than you?

What do you want me to say? Give up my source? Not gonna happen, but I tell you now. Eastmond is gooooooooone.

Eastmond's got another full year on his contract yet. Some hefty money would have to be offered to break that. I doubt even union would offer that.

I very much doubt he himself knows what he'll be doing after that yet, but I suspect Saints will be on his list of considerations.

This is all posteuring by his agent. Who, by the way, can not be band. Any pro sportsman has a RIGHT to be represented by an agent.

Not really, the union clubs will wait and at the end of next season he's worth nothing so if you know he's going you might as well get something for him but it probably won't be much. Would you rather have a disinterested player on the salary cap for a year?

Isn't that what you do to milk?

If he wants to go all it takes is a photo of him in a Sale shirt and the fans will be begging to pay his bus fare (cf Chris Ashton).