[url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/rugby_union/s/1406946_sale_sharks_offer_kyle_eastmond_home_comforts?rss=yes&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RugbyUnion-Sport-ManchesterEveningNews-RssFeed+%28Rugby+union+-+Sport+-+Manchester+Evening+News+-+RSS+Feed%29Sale rugby union confident of landing Eastmond[/url

Not good for RL.

Very true, he's a brilliant player when fit.

I think thats key 'when fit'.

Eastmond is a brilliant player, one which we'd all love to see playing alongside Tomkins in the halves for England but given his current injury record, could we honestly say if he left Saints/England/RL would miss him? IMO thats arguable, considering the amount of games he missed last season.

People are forgetting behind every first team SL player is a talented youth raring and ready to go. Saints, Wigan, Leeds - just about any club could have the next 'Kyle Eastmond'. For me it wouldn't be such a huge loss as people presume.

An awful blow for rugbyleague if Eastmond goes over to Union. We have a weak backline as it is at national level without losing him. We'd have lost 2 huge attacking weapons that would both be regular internationals in League in Eastmond and Ashton and we can't afford for that to keep happening.

But also don't forget the Long factor. A youth star who got written off with injury then came back to bite us big time.

Long was not written off at Wigan due to his injuries.

As Rogues said, Long leaving Wigan was for entirely different reasons, however I do get where your coming from Grimmy.

My point is that with the lack of games Eastmond has played for England, would England RL really miss him as much as people think/presume? IMO no England RL wouldn't miss him purely and simply because he hasn't played so many times for England.

Where as if it were, for arguments sake, James Graham then yes England RL would definately miss him.

There's no doubting Eastmond is a class act, I'm not trying to say he isn't and him going to RU would be a blow to RL agreed, but it wouldn't be to the extent that is being banded about IMO.

However, the RFL really do need to put something in place to stop the RFU poaching our best young players. If we are too grow RL internationally and make our sport 'respectable' in the eyes of the media we need to compete regularly with the Aussies/Kiwis, and that means keeping our best young players in RL.

Eastmond is not in the same league as Long and never will be IMO

I know he's not as good as Long now, will he ever be? I think he could be, if he truely got over his injury problems. Regardless, the principle that losing a brilliant player who suffers from injuries can come back to bite you is still valid.

No? It was before I started watching to be fair, thought he was deemed a crock, or was that the official line when really it was off-field stuff?

It was because he broke a girls jaw on king street (its in his boook so im not breaking any laws by posting it on here..am i?)

The truth about Long's departure from Wigan was less than edifying. Okay, he was a kid at the time, but the tomfoolery - if that's what you call it - hasn't exactly stopped as he's grown older.

He's one of the few cases I can think of where, despite his on-field brillliance, his off-field activities have continued to cast a shadow over him for all but his most blinkered admirers.

Lots of other great players - Ellery Hanley, being a great example - had a chequered past, but never to the degree that it detracted from their reputation as sportsmen.

Excellent news about the young lads extending their contracts.

I hope it is not a wind up

Ps. whos this megastar that is comming to MM?

you have left me hanging on the OT thread

Mickey Rourke. Playing Gareth Thomas in a film ain't he.

Different type of player to Long but he's actually more talented imo.

He'll have a far bigger career at international level then Long ever did imo if he sticks to rugbyleague. He'd do well to beat Longy's superleague career but he's not playing in as strong a Saints side to be fair.

Without a shadow of a doubt.

But what is also interesting is the players who haven't had their contracts extended yet.

George Carmont
Andy Coley (option of another year)
Ben Davies (option of another year)
Ryan Hoffman (option of another year)
Stefan Marsh (option of another year)
Karl Pryce
Eamon O'carroll
Paul Prescott
Pat Richards

For me, George Carmont will be 33 next year and you would hope we can look to replace him. However, I would only replace him from within and wouldn't look abroad. If Stefan Marsh, Josh Charnley, Darrell Goulding or Karl Pryce are not ready yet for that role, or aren't ready to play it for the entire season, then I wouldn't be adverse to extending George's contract for another year. Okay, he's on the wrong side of 30, but he only started playing rugby league at 26, so his body hasn't taken such a beating as most players his age.

Andy Coley will also be 33, but such an age is not a terrible thing for a prop forward. It all depends on how Paul Prescott, Eamon O'carroll, Ben Davies, Lee Mossop and Gareth Hock get on. I'd say we need three of these five players to look very comfortable in the first team at prop, alongside Lima and Fielden, for us to be able to let Coley go. If not, then I would extend his contract by another year providing his body is up to it.

Ben Davies is only 21, which is very young for a prop forward. He's been tipped as one of the most promising props in the game from various pundits and journalists. I'd certainly keep him on board for another year or if he shows he is up to it like Farrell, Tuson and Charnley then sign him up to a long term contract.

Ryan Hoffman is a tricky one. We have an abundance of top quality second row forwards. Joel Tomkins, Liam Farrell, Harrison Hansen, Chris Tuson, (possibly) Lee Mossop and Gareth Hock. I must confess I don't see us keeping him after this season. Too tricky to call before a ball has been kicked.

Stefan Marsh is in the same boat as all the other young lads. If he can prove he is up to Mike Maguire's standards week in week out then he will get a long-term contract like Charnley, Farrell etc. However the lad is only 20, and has only played five Super League games. I think he will be kept. Joel Tomkins said it took him 50 Super League games before he felt comfortable.

Karl Pryce it is make or break for me. He is going to get first team Super League week in week out at Harlequins and that will tell Wigan all they need to know about him. If it works out and he starts ripping teams apart, he'll be back in Wigan and on a long-term deal. Should be interesting to see how this one pans out. I really hope he is a success.

Eamon O'carroll has made over 60 appearances for us and is 23. Would it be harsh to say this is a make or break season? With such quality in the side and strength in the forwards O'carroll needs an injury free season and needs to put in some quality performances. Otherwise I see him ending up at Wakefield or Castleford on a two-year deal.

Paul Prescott will be 26 when his contract runs out and for me I think we're starting to see the best of him. He had a fantastic end to the season (as did Mike McIlorum) and if he can maintain that level of performance and consistency over the course of the season then he will be rewarded with a long-term deal IMO. However, we're right to see just whether he can do that or not.

Pat Richards is a no brainer. He's one of the best players in the side and the best winger in Super League and the best kicker in Super League. If he makes a fully recovery from his injury and it doesn't hamper his performances then I would offer him a new contract.

Carmont- He's been an amazing signing in value for money terms and is still playing well but you do get the feeling this season could be his last with us. We have an awesome prospect in Charnley who will push him hard for his place this year and should be ready to take it fulltime next year.

Coley- If he plays aswell this year as last then i'd take the years option. He's comign towards the end of his career but he looks energised by playing in a top team.

Davies- Hard to judge but from what I read we should be keeping him for sure. He sounds a top prospect but has been unlucky with the timing of this injury. I read rave reviews about him at Widnes last season and once he's fit a loan deal at a superleague club would be very good for his chances of a new deal.

Hoffman- If he plays well and wants to stay then it'd be nice if we have the cash to keep him. Alot will come down to cap space though and if he just does the year we have more then enough options in that backrow.

Stefan Marsh- I was a little suprised he wasn't one of the players tied to a new deal. Theres been rumours about a move to Union for a while and maybe he's keeping his options open which he's entitled to do. If I had the choice of him or Charnley signing a new long term deal it's be Charnley everytime but a couple of year extension for Marsh would be handy aswell.

Pryce- He has an opportunity to prove himself at Quins and he needs to take it. He has all the talent in the world but he needs to prove he has the bottle and desire to go with it. If he can do that he's a handy squad player on a 1 or 2 year deal.

O'Carroll- Hate to say it but the lad could be on borrowed time and alot of that is due to injury. He's still not fit and he just keeps falling further down the pecking order. I've always thought he's be a late developer but without getting regular games thats not going to happen. It may be in his best interests to seek a move for 2012 dependant on how this year goes.

Prescott- He always needed an injury free season or two to push his career forward and he's had that over the past two seasons pretty much. I actually thought his form was pretty average for the majority of the year but he really stepped it up in the play offs and showed what he's capable of. A 2 year deal with another years option seems about right.

Richards- If he hadn't had that injury in the grand final we'd all be sitting here saying give him a 3 or 4 year deal but it seems wise to have a look at him for a couple of months after injury before making a decision. I'm sure he'll be fine as he's never been a wingman of great pace or explosive footwork so he should slot straight back in. If he does that another 2 or 3 year deal would be fantastic and well and truely deserved.

NK,
A very good and fair assessment.

I think Coley and Carmont will definitely leave at the end of the season.

Pryce is drinking from the last chance saloon, he really needs a big season to convince Wigan that he is worth a contract extension.

Marsh, needs to lift his head when in possession to read what's happening around him, but is certainly worth another contract

I've always liked O'Carroll and prefer him to Prescott, but his injury record is a concern. This groin problem is almost nine months old now.

Prescott needs a big season.

Richards, sadly it's a wait and see, but if he is fit enough then I'd offer him a two or three year deal.

Like you, I was always of the opinion that Eamon O'carroll was a better prospect than Paul Prescott. I remember having a debate on here with Jukesays about the two a while back. O'carroll whenever he kept fit never let us down. He stood up against bigger opposition week in week out, most of the time playing behind a beaten pack, from a very young age. I'll never forget him copping one off Adrian Morley and Morley coming off second best. The lad may not be the biggest, but he is stocky and was very good for us. Sadly, injuries have just set him back for me. An injury free season and I think he could be very good for us. Mike McIlorum is very similar. Always played very well for us, built up some form, but then got injured. Last year he had a decent run with injuries and is playing very well for us. In fact, he was outstanding in the Grand Final. Same applies to Eamon O'carroll for me. If he can have an injury free season he'll do well for us.

For me theres just something about Prescott where I think 'he's not quite up to it'. I can't for the life of me decide what it is! I agree he has been solid when called upon in most games but like I say there's something with him that just doesn't fit. I may be being a little harsh on him but thats just my opinion.

O'Carroll on the other hand when fit can be outstanding. However, as you say his injury record speaks for itself - its not the best and he probably is on borrowed time. O'Carroll definately needs an injury free season.

The question I've got is could we afford to lose both?

i think Prescott stepped up big time in the play offs...hes hard as nails too
hes also had his injuries thats set him back.

I agree entirely and can't quite put my finger on what it is specifically either. If you compare his stats with Andy Coley's they're more than adequate. For me I'd just want to see more aggression from him. More punch in the tackle, really hurt defenders and then when going forward to have a lot more aggression. I was stunned when he sent a Leeds player flying on his ar$e in the semi-final. Keep that aggression up and he'll earn himself an England cap. I think what it may be with Prescott is that he isn't outstanding, but he isn't poor either. A standard Super League prop forward at 26 IMO. Perhaps this is what it is.

I don't think at the moment we could afford to lose both, but both must improve to consolidate a long-term future at Wigan - especially Eamon O'carroll. Right now we're unsure where we stand with Lee Mossop and Gareth Hock in respect as to where they will play - prop forward or second row? Say perhaps though that both are outstanding at prop forward, then both Prescott and O'carroll would look very vulnerable. So in the future who knows. Ben Davies was earning rave reviews at Widnes, don't think he's slipped that comfortably like Liam Farrell has, but he is young for a prop forward. I wonder what he will be like after 50 first team games? Better than Prescott and O'carroll after the same number of games? Very possible IMO and then both players could be very expendable. However we all hope that both will raise their games and become great Wigan players.

So did Mike McIlorum. However although they 'peaked' at the right time, both players should be looking to replicate that sort of form, which they're evidently capable of, more consistently.