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| Clark to Saracens | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 13 2017, 07:55 PM (894 Views) | |
| danjsaints | Jan 13 2017, 07:55 PM Post #1 |
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http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/clark-to-leave-saints-at-end-of-season-1-7773563 Well didn't see that coming. Not 100% shocked at him leaving I suppose given the strength in depth we have in the back row, but very surprised at the (rumoured) destination. If anything they're better stocked than we are, so one does have to wonder if this is a signing purely based on making sure your rivals don't get him. A season or two ago I'd be devastated, but he's been absent so much lately that I really don't think we'll miss him. One of the best players at the breakdown I've ever seen in a saints shirt and really think he could have been something special if circumstances were different. |
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| Wibble | Jan 13 2017, 08:01 PM Post #2 |
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He has been a great player but i think he has slipped to second choice when fit. He will be missed but we should be ok. |
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| happyclapper | Jan 13 2017, 08:17 PM Post #3 |
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I assume we can put Mac's absence at the moment down to the fact he can't see his keyboard through all the tears!!! Shocked, surprised, somewhat devastated! A very good player for us and one I thought would be with us for a very long time. I suppose it's combination of amount of injuries, temperament (although I'd have always stood by him) and cost. I can't imagine he's cheap and with all the options we have, and the youngsters coming through, I guess it's about making room in the cap. Weighing up all the options etc. Re Sarries, they have one Schalk Burger on their books who is neither going to play all games nor be around for too much longer. So this could be a long term replacement for him, and they're very similar players. Unless T moves back to 7, or Nutters and Ludlum progress significantly, we are light in the natural 7 department. Unless we're seeing Wood as the natural 7 now... |
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| Bedford Saint | Jan 13 2017, 10:54 PM Post #4 |
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As much as I hate to say it, big opportunity for Calum. When fit and firing he is a great player and at 27 a good few years left. Love to see Ludlum come through |
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| big mac returns | Jan 14 2017, 06:04 PM Post #5 |
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I'll never be the same again......... This is terrible news, by far our best 7. the club is falling apart at the seams!!! losing a player of that ability to sarries!!!!! devastated! |
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| Ossie Reborn | Jan 14 2017, 08:40 PM Post #6 |
Fringe Player
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Given where he looks to be headed, I can't believe you actually said this...... |
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| Wibble | Jan 15 2017, 10:16 AM Post #7 |
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He is very very good but is he as good as Harrison? Thats the only question for the club. Eddie Jones rates Harrison. So do I but.... i dont count. I think with another year of game time T could be very special. Clarke is not going to want to sit on the bench or be paid less to do so. I will miss him for sure but i think we are fine. |
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| ElmaFudd | Jan 15 2017, 12:08 PM Post #8 |
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Yeah I agree with wibble shame to loose Calum but understandable given his injuries T has shown he is more than capable at 7. |
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| happyclapper | Jan 15 2017, 02:15 PM Post #9 |
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Also, I have it on good authority he is a disruption in the dressing room and on the training pitch. Apparently brings the aggression he has on the pitch into those environments and also oversteps the mark as well, like he does on the pitch. Gutted he's going, but trust the coaches to make the right decisions. Also heard that the club do want shot of Jim but it would cost them £2m to break his contract. Not sure how much I believe this, but it came from the same source that said Clark was old news... |
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| Onward | Jan 15 2017, 02:39 PM Post #10 |
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If the rumour of Clark being disruptive is true then ok. If not I was clearly mistaken when the board stated that there would be movement on top class players. I foolishly believed that this meant bringing them in not getting rid of them. Cant compare Clark with Harrison. No-one better at getting over the ball at breakdown than Clark There must be some damned good creative accounting at Sarries. They signed Williams last week and he wont be cheap either. If the rumour beloe about Ella is right then its brilliant but lets hope he can have some input before we waste next season as well |
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| claygavin | Jan 15 2017, 06:55 PM Post #11 |
Senior Academy
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Great player but injuries/ wage increase was probably not worth the risk. Eddie Jones will be smiling if he comes back to his best He will be on a good wage, so more in the kitty for next years world class prop and Fly half. When i'm SA watching the Stormers vs Bulls game ill ask Pollard if he fancies a game at franklins garden next year. |
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| big mac returns | Jan 16 2017, 10:50 AM Post #12 |
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If clark was whacking people in training..............I like him even more. Hes and animal and the squad could do with a bit more intensity. far too nicey nicey for me. big big shake up in the squad at the summer, question is can we attract names bigger enough to replace them. as things stand our back row would be, wood louis harrison, that fine if not lacking a real breakdown man. however their cover for six nations and injuries is gibson dickinson ludlem, not great at all |
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| happyclapper | Jan 16 2017, 01:35 PM Post #13 |
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Gibson had numerous MoTM last season, I see him as more than capable stand in. Dickinson was our 8 when we won the prem, so again, when he's on form, more than capable. Ludlem is the only unknown for me. But we also have Nutley and he has put in some decent performances recently which shows he may be kicking on. We can't have international players in all the back-up positions. Edited by happyclapper, Jan 16 2017, 01:36 PM.
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| big mac returns | Jan 16 2017, 01:42 PM Post #14 |
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I wouldn't say we have internationals in any back up position. all im saying is that as all three of our first choice back row are internationals and may be away for long periods we dont have enough depth there. especially when one is a child and one has been mia for ages. I dont think we can afford not to replace clark |
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| happyclapper | Jan 16 2017, 02:47 PM Post #15 |
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Ahem... Tighthead... ;-) (ducks and runs) Scrum half as well. Wings. Centres. Full back. OK, so I accept I just naming players with caps and not players who are necessarily international standard now! I think it all depends on how highly they rate the academy lads and what future they see for Nutters. |
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| big mac returns | Jan 16 2017, 05:17 PM Post #16 |
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Tight head yes but one cant actually scrummage and neither are banging on the door for secretion. Nick groom has never played of south africa, hes also not that good. we need a new scrum half we have two international centres. tuavake and estelles are hardly established internationals. and I wouldn't describe Ace a fully fledged international. 5 caps v tier two nations. I dont think any team in the prem would fear a back row of gibson dickinson and ludlem. I'm a big fan of gibson, ludlem is still very young but looks quite good and dickinson has just been injured too often, cant be relied on to be fit. I think if clark goes we need a replacement, preferably someone who can cover all three. but for me this means we dont have a breakdown specialist. |
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| happyclapper | Jan 16 2017, 06:52 PM Post #17 |
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Yeah, I agree, I was just playing devils advocate! I thought Groom had one cap, but it's an SA 'A' cap. I think what we bring in will depend on how Jim views the youngsters and how much room we have in the cap. Clark will free up a decent chunk, I agree but I'm not sure it's international back row levels. I'm guessing, if he hasn't been pushed out, then it's one of his reasons for moving, more salary! |
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| Onward | Jan 16 2017, 07:50 PM Post #18 |
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Summary of thoughts on this forum: We need: A tighthead cos the two we have are not good enough A hooker to support Mikey (Dylan off to Toulon) A loosehead cos since Corbs left we have no class there A second row cos Craig gets injured too often; Daisy is knocking on; new SA unknown; Paterson not good enough so Courts needs a buddy Back row no problem as long as all fit and available but poor back up. Clark off to Saracens A scrum half cos we havnt got one good enough A fly half cos Smyler will be a bench warmer only coming on in a crisis. JJ probably going back to Ireland A centre to play alongside young Mallinder could be Stephenson but gets injured. Two new signings equivalent to invisible men. Pisi and Luther passed it A wing as North gets frost bite waiting for the ball in space and Ken is deemed not quick enough any more A full back as Fodes has lost pace and cant catch Apart from that we seem to be set for next season These are not my thoughts but a summary of all. Am now off for a lie down in darkened room (might bump into Jim) Happy days. Who was it said things can only get better? |
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| Wibble | Jan 16 2017, 08:00 PM Post #19 |
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Well its fair to say that any team, even the All Blacks can make improvements. For me i am happy with most positions except 13. We can improve others but its our biggest issue atm. Obviously if players leave we have to replace them but until we know who is off its hard to know what we need. For example we loom ok at 10 with Myler and JJ. If JJ leaves we need to spend big for a 10 to come in. |
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| flanker | Jan 16 2017, 08:19 PM Post #20 |
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I think we need a big clear out this year of some expensive players who haven't really delivered. |
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| happyclapper | Jan 16 2017, 09:43 PM Post #21 |
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Good effort Onward. Personally, I think the only position we're desperate in is loosehead but that's the beauty of opinion. I think we could do with improvement in second row and scrum half. We could do with some competition at full back as well. Where did the rumour of Dylan off to Toulon come from? He's the England captain, I'd suggest he's going no where!!! |
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| ElmaFudd | Jan 16 2017, 10:17 PM Post #22 |
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I think the more likely destination is wasps. But there are a lot of rumour out there about Dlyan leaving us and various reasons why. FWIW I think we really need a LH, FH, OC and FB. But I doubt what I think will carry much weight
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| Bedford Saint | Jan 16 2017, 10:35 PM Post #23 |
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Two years ago I think Dylan might have gone, but not now. I know he has his issues and has taken (quite rightly) some flack, but if there is one player I want us to keep its Dylan. His captaincy of Saints and England has been superb and we should be breaking the bank to keep him. To see Dylan playing for another premiership club would be a crime, he isnt going to France, not till Eddie tells him he is no longer needed. Dylan needs to come back from the 6N's fit and firing and lead us into the top 4. Clark a big loss for me, once fit he is one of our best players, if he gets stuck in at training - great, at times this season some haven't even bothered to get stuck in during games. Lets sign quality not quantity and use the academy to fill in the gaps. My view of the academy is that the players need proper game time, I know some think they are better off here, but I believe the championship is good for getting game time, competitive experience and provides a pressurised learning environment. I see Sam Olver played for Nottingham against Leinster A at the weekend. Nottingham won so he must have done alright. |
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| happyclapper | Jan 17 2017, 07:31 AM Post #24 |
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I think I pretty much agree with that Bedford, other than Clark being a big loss. A loss, yes, but given his injuries and other unavailability, I am not sure he's a big loss. And we are well covered in the back row. I've always liked him as a player, and I especially loved watching him warm up on his own before the ECC final in Cardiff just smashing tackle bags. I very much agree quality over quantity. We've got enough filler in the squad now with last seasons signings, we now need to ensure we get proper international, world class quality! Elms, not sure I agree with your wish list... I think it very much depends on retention this summer but given current player roster I think we need the following LH and FB. Depending on how Ribbans goes, I'd potentially add second row in. OC we are well covered with G Pisi, Luther and Estelles is touted as an option there. We also have Stephenson who is an OC. FH we have Myler and JJ with Olver as backup and Harry as emergency cover. |
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| big mac returns | Jan 17 2017, 09:18 AM Post #25 |
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Think we do need to replace Clark, maybe with a player who can cover 8/6. Need a ten if jj goes. Competition for ben at fb, maybe a prospect And most importantly a new nine. I think we should go youngish with signings need to build the team for the next ten years, like jim did when he first came I also cant see Dylan going to wasps, they aren't going to hinder Taylors progress as he looks a player. Edited by big mac returns, Jan 17 2017, 09:21 AM.
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| happyclapper | Jan 17 2017, 03:14 PM Post #26 |
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If we are to replace Clark, I'd like to see an out and out 7. Maybe someone from SH, lots of other teams seem to do well recruiting 7s from there. |
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| ElmaFudd | Jan 17 2017, 03:51 PM Post #27 |
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HC, I don't think JJ will be staying hence my request for a fly half. Fullback wise Tom Collins was my preferred choice but I can't see it happening leaving us with Wilson, or Ace as alternatives to Foden neither are long term answers if you ask me. The thread about Ethen explains why I feel we need a loosehead. at tighthead we look like loosingHill and possibly Denman as well. I think outside centre options will thin out a bit as well. Also if Dicko, is going as well then we may need another scrum half. People were calling for a clear-out earlier in the season, maybe they will get just that. |
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| happyclapper | Jan 17 2017, 04:20 PM Post #28 |
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I've seen the rumours on here re JJ, but not sure where he would go in Ireland as I think all the clubs have established FHs he's not going to displace. I agreed re FB. I think Ace is seen as the cover there, but I don't think he's good enough to push Fodes and unless Fodes gets back to form, we are weak there these days. Unless we sign a world class LH, we are fine there with the two we have and the academy. I'd love a world class loosehead but not sure where it would come from. Re TH, I can understand if Hill wants to move on, again, I am guessing it's his decision. Denman can go, he really can't scrummage. If they both go, we need someone to backup Brookes, and then we have academy! Dicko going???!?!?!?! |
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| big mac returns | Jan 17 2017, 04:46 PM Post #29 |
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HC re JJ, the rumour is Munster, and its a lot of noise. no smoke without fire etc etc http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/jj-hanrahan-set-for-munster-return-and-jaco-taute-set-to-stay-for-the-rest-of-the-season-35289552.html Dicko going as well?????? what the hell is happening???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????? |
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| happyclapper | Jan 17 2017, 06:21 PM Post #30 |
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But Munster have a starting FH, so unless JJ is coming in to start (unlikely as no evidence he's good enough) he's going as a squad player. Which means he's no better off than here, other than he's up against Stevo who is getting on and therefore JJ should get more game time. This seems like extremely poor management to me. Re Dicko, I'm hoping this is signalling the arrival of a new top quality SH. Groom as backup to new SH and academy as backup to Groom. That would work. And also... Dicko will want game time which he's not guaranteed here. And he'll also be on a sizeable wedge as he probably negotiated a new contract when he was in the EPS. |
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3:39 PM Jul 11