I don't think either will be a long term choice for a top team moving forwards.

I hope I'm wrong on Richards as we need all the front rowers we can get.

I agree, Richards has got a lot of developing to do before he can be a long term prop for a top team. His age only works in his favour though and he has the potential without a doubt.

Richards is very much a "Work in Progress" and is a season behind Thompson. For Paul Clough its unfornunate that he didn,t kick on to another level, he use to annoy me the way he would spin around and back into the opposition instead of trying a tackle bust and offload, he was probably better for is defensive workload.
With Richards I reckon he will get fitter and stronger and his general all round game will be better than Cloughy.

I really like Richards, he's come on ALOT since his debut. If you'd have said to me a year ago he'd have not only played in a Grand Final but well and truly held his own, I'd have probably laughed at you.

He does the basics well, consistently makes good yards and works hard in defence. He compliments the impact of Walmsley & Masoe well alongside Amor, another work horse.

I did like Clough, but I think Richards with his size has far more potential.

There's pictures of him along sidfe Amor with the Trophy and he certainly has a similar "lump" about his build. Given he's still young, it'll be interesting to see how he progresses physically in the next couple of years, but good % props are very valuable to the squad.

How one expresses themselves in celebrations is not really a reliable indicator of how one performs on the big occasion. I mean one only has to watch James Roby to see an example of, one of the very best, who excels on the big stage.