St pete wrote:
Tom briscoe without doubt move inside to centre. Saints are looking for a outside back and would love it to be briscoe but can't see it.
With the overseas being more strict now, the days of going out and bringing in a Aussie centre which is better for youth development but tough on clubs that can't produce anyone is that certain postion.
I think this is why Wheeler or someone similar maybe a good long term bet at Centre. Over the coming seasons there is going to be a drop off in the quality of opposition centres. Now is the time to develop one. Take Saints we are missing a centre at present, but we are full on overseas players.
Therefore there are only 2 options, grow your own, or buy in. Buying in has 2 possibilities an overseas already in the UK not on the new federation quota, or a British player.
When you look who there is available it's very thin on the ground quality wise. We already have one England international centre and it's not likey we are going to be able to offer enough for a 2nd one as more and more clubs get closer and closer to paying the salary cap.
So growing your own is the only real option for me. Who ever starts first is most likely to receive the benefits, first.
Wheeler I would say is average to good in the whole pattern of Centres out there in SL. So why not. He's still a player that can be developed. Connelly played FB and switched to centre, we bought Wilkin as a hooker, who now plays 2nd row, loose and half back.
Even the great Jamie Lyon is a half back now after how many years at centre. So players can move around our own meli as shown that. finally finding a secure home at centre rather than the exposure of the wing. Soliola too. (do hope we change his shirt number next year.)