Didn't Tom resist going to the NRL so he could play more 1st team rugby?

I agree he's a work in progress, but I can't see any problem using him as an impact prop.

I'd be happy to give him more 1st team games

Hopefully one day we'll have Tom, George and Sam at the Bulls...Maybe even Luke...

They are all young enough to form what would be an awesome quartet of front rowers in years to come..

Front rowers mature later for a reason.

Throw a prop in too much too early, and (amongst other things) he can suffer serious long-term damage.

In a discussion Mission and I had with a couple of the coaching staff last year this question (of props making an impact at a very early age) cropped up. As did the issue of big hits and especially effective use of the shoulder. They pointed out that one particular young prop prodigy had sure been making a name for himself in that department. They also pointed out that the same lad had already had to have significant shoulder surgery, and they expressed concern for the effect on the length of his playing career if he continued in (crowd-pleasing) like vein.

ATEOTD the team should be picked on form. And one way to heighten form and minimise injuries is to rotate your props week on week. This I would expect Potter to do, if and when he finally has enough props to do that effectively with. So I would be confident of Tom getting a fair share of game time. But, at his age, no more than is safe for him - and for us.

Why bring Donno into it?
Despite what you said before it seems very personal, you [iabsolutely[/i certain he didn't get your sister pregnant??

Because he was described potentially as the best player in the world, which in turn would make him the best forward in SL. Just thought the OP might be confusing the two. Seems like you want him to get you pregnant. Oh well.

I saw you sneak some "reasonable " words in after your initial post!

Quite. At 18 you aren't physiqally mature enough to withstand the demands of contact sport at such a high level. Give him a taste in short spells and bring him through slowly. Should be another couple of years before he is a regular first 17 pick.

You only have to look at the likes of Civoniceva and Menzies to see how long forwards can play if they are taken care of.

JP is 33, past his best & still captaining England.

Not sure what point you are making, but JP was a late-developer and made his SL debut at 22 (and started anyway in the second row), and which sort of helps prove the point?

TBH I'm not sure myself. But the point stands.

Book mark material...

Don't get me wrong, I fully appreciate bringing these young lads through slowly. Playing devils advocate here, we could wrap him in cotton wool for two seasons, play him at 'full strength' for one season and then lose him to another club.
The lad's obviously good enough, and let's be honest we havn't the luxury of holding back players in favour of seasoned pro's.

Live for the now.

You don't change a winning team.....

If players were showing signs of fatigue then fine, rotate but i think Scruton should fight for his place.

If anything, it gives Scrutes a chance to strengthen his arm, no need to rush him back at the minute? Not had that luxury for a while.

I do like the fact that most are raving about Tom. Personally, im glad hes becoming a cult figure, it might be the only reason that he will turn down leaving in the near future.

If your good enough, then your old enough (also includes the likes of JP, Menzies etc.)!

Add to above...


I did like the way he put Feka on his ar*e!!!!

Not many can do that in this years competition.

Good enough then old enough.

For a teenage prop playing a hard contact sport whose body is still developing? Not quite as simple as that.

2 out of 10

2 out of 10?

What does it matter !!! if Scruton hadnt of been injured, Burgess wouldnt of got a sniff - Since coming from Leeds Scruton seems to be one of few who gives 110% and in my OPINION he is our best prop by far !!

Two names Paul Grayshon and Craig Richards, both very promising young impact props, both washed up and playing in the second tier of rl in there mid 20's and they aint the only ones! lets not forget the freak that is Sam Burgess is recovering from a major injury all ready.

Paul Grayshon was a promising prop? Tub of lard more like.

I did think Craig Richards looked good to begin with but he lost it for some reason.

Scruton won't have to 'fight for his place' given he is one of the best players in the team. Terrace cliche.

We don't have the luxury of a dearth of quality forwards or anyone who is tearing it up in his absence.

When, he's back, he should be in.

And again I agree. Give me the experience of the likes of Scrutes any day. Bring the young lads on gradually.

And as should Kearney. Folk maybe have short memories? Scroll back to the early games of the season and see what we all thought of Kearney. He's not runaway leader of the RAB MOM table - despite not having played for ages - for nothing.

Yup. Kearney is a country mile the most flamboyant "go-to" man in the team. Ouzes class and time on the ball and light years ahead of others in terms of his speed of thought. That some ignore that is either amnesia or stupidity.

Heath, BK, Scruton for mine, the key players in the team. If Langley could stay on the field and avoid pseudo-surgery-talk from those close to him, he would join the list.

to be honest i think scruton has to be in the team he is probably the closest thing we have to an enforcer at the moment and things like those massive hits when he sends the opposition player landing into "row Z" of the stand can really lift the team in a funny sort of way, iv no doubt that Tom Burgess will be just as good if not better than scruton but he will just have to wait for now and be eased in instead of been told to sink or swim which has ruined players with very promising potential in the past. i also reckon there will be another prop signed for next year , bit of a south sea islander nutcase impact prop. controversial i know but thats what i think will happen!