Cloughie was EXCEPTIONAL in Jammer's absense tonight. His usual eeking out of yards went a step further with man dragging drives, and sound defence.

Tony Puletua once again played in the way we should expect of him. Powerful and gracious with ball in hand, he is a joy to watch, and put in a tidy hit if memory and eyesight serves.

Emmitt is developing nicely too. Just needs composure close to the line to help him with the traditional Saints goal line hospital ball (something Jammer took nearly two years to get used to).

The big drive just before the last try really summed up his effort tonight

Cloughy is a fantastic young player, I always remember hearing KC saying years ago that of all the youngsters, Cloughy had the best chance of making it because you had to drag him out of the gym. He's gone from strength to strength and I hope he ultimately gets the recognition he deserves and hopefully gains international honours. I think he's more than worthy of it, but the competition is immense.

Unless he develops considerably I doubt that will ever happen as there are far better players in his position available.... then again if Ben Westwood can make it I guess anything is possible.

paul clough has been one of my standout players for the past 2 seasons now, im shocked he hasnt got into the england squad, as i rate him as one of the best players at saints

I think we should also give special mention to Bryn Hargreaves last night, put in a good solid performance and took some sting out of the Giants pack early on.

True - Cloughy is a better player than Westwood. People bang on about Westwood's defence but I bet he misses more tackles than Cloughy and he certainly makes less ground with the ball.

Westwood also has the tendency to give away costly penalties whereas Cloughie does not. I think it's a shame he hasn't been given a chance at international level.

He's been fantastic all season for me, a huge talent for us and he'll be a key figure in our pack for years to come.

Honestly think about it - would he cope against an agressive aussie pack? no imo. Cloughie at the moment is one of those players who goes out and gives 110% for the club and he is very solid but he is never international class. At England level you have Ellis, Burgess,O'Loughlin, Sinfield and Tomkins ahead of him in the back row all of whom would walk into the current Saints team. People spoke about Cloughie as a youngster having a different dimention to his game (i.e offload and passing ability) but that hasnt been apparent so far at SL level. If he was a bit bigger for me he would probably be our starting prop alongside Jammer.

Exactly the same could be said of Westwood. He works his backside off for his club but international class? No. Not in my opinion anyway (such as it is!). The difference between the two men is that Clough doesn't give away penalties like Westwood.

Although I agree with you in terms of his club commitment and his game, I still think it's a shame he hasn't been given a chance at international level. But maybe I'm just being sentimental.

A young Andy platt, a second rower who turned into an outstanding front row forward...

I'd agree with that. He's still fairly young though (22 i think?) and theres still time for him to progress and maybe improve into an international player. At this moment in time though, there are plenty of better options for England in the pack. I like Cloughy, he's a very solid player and he runs hard and tackles well, hopefully he will progress further into a better player. When he first came through he was compared to Bennett, who was playing same position at the time, and i would say that Clough is a much better player than Bennett was, and thats no disrespect to Bennett. Clough has potential to go further, and hopefully he will do.

Not quite international level yet,but in a few years i reckon he will be definately.

He was great at Hull as well.

But don't knock Westwood he is a good player.

Clough was excellent on Friday, there may be better options for England at the moment but he's ne of those players who's game would probably transfer up a level. I can imagine in a few years him playing a role for England.

He was second only to Tony P on Friday, who was a class above the pretenders in the Huddersfield pack.

If he does I think it will be as a prop ...

He reminds me of a young Joynt, cracking team player

Joynt was a far better all round player. He was quicker and pretty elusive wide runner as well as having a better ability to offload. Clough is so far alot more of power player, alot more like the player Joynty developed into. They definatly both share the work ethic though and the commitment to the cause.

Joynt came through as an attacking force playing against part time defences though and developed his defence later. Its a lot harder these days fro youngsters. Clough has done the best thing for his career by making sure he can do the work load first with mimimum errors, which will then give him the chance to develop his attacking game under less pressure.

Agree with that - the game is alot more defence orientated now but only time will tell if Clough can develop his game to be a bit more expansive - I dont think he has the pace Joynty had when he was young though

Personally I reckon Clough will be an outstanding Prop Forward in a few years time when he is seasoned in the role. He will play for England at somepoint that I have no doubt at all.

Absoutley, plus I think Clough will end up in the front row at some stage in the near future.

That Emmit look's a player. I don't rate Clough as he'd be another Jonkers, Edmondson, Stanky if he went to another club i.e....bobbins.

Quote ="Mark"That Emmit look's a player. I don't rate Clough as he'd be another Jonkers, Edmondson, Stanky if he went to another club i.e....bobbins.'" Morley v Clough for last season, not much in it www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2010 Now i'm not saying he's as good as Moz, but not a million miles away

Quote ="Mark"That Emmit look's a player. I don't rate Clough as he'd be another Jonkers, Edmondson, Stanky if he went to another club i.e....bobbins.'" Morley v Clough for last season, not much in it www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2010 Now i'm not saying he's as good as Moz, but not a million miles away