As a Leeds fan i remind people of Chev Walker and Lee Smith returning to RL from union, not a pretty picture.

Not seen much of Smith this season, seems to be struggling to get in the 17. Wasn't his last game for England before he went over the wall?

Yes, after his last club game for Leeds in the 09 Grand Final he then played at centre for England against France and then his last apperance vs Australia in the game at the DW when England were 0-26 down at the break and finished 16-26 full time. He was dropped in place of Bridge for the NZ game and the final.

ATM he's used in a utility role, played wing, centre, full back and scrum half already this year. Should get the chance to see him on the wing vs Saints on monday night as there is no Ben Jones-Bishop in the 19 man squad. If he gets a run in the same position every week he might get back to his best, moving him around every other week isn't going to. Brent Webb is leaving at the end of this year though so could possibly become the new full back, or possibly wing or centre if BJB or Hardaker get the number 1 shirt.

I thought he was better in different strokes, didn't think much of him as a scrum half.

Who cares. He was happy enough to jump into bed with his yawnion mates. Let him stay there.

Im guessing by the responses, he's doing bugger all.

Kyle who?

You know

the one who was boinking Jason Donovan

He should be so lucky.

I agree with saddened, he probably was the most gifted SL player since Jason Robinson. His running game is devastating, it's a shame saints tried to make him a ball player to accommodate the aging Wellens at FB.

I hope he returns and plays fb.

Kyle is a gifted but (in my opinion) badly advised indivual. He was also one of the bet thinkers about RL and totally obsessed with rugby league as a teenager. But he's always had knee and leg injuries even from when he was playing as a kid. I think he had to take an extended period out (over six months) when he was a teenager. So all this should be no surprise. In RL (and RU) if you have an injury weakness it will be found out.

on a similar topic, anyone know how Joel Tomkins is going on?

I would love to see Eastmond back in RL, i wonder if he could be tempted to comeback.

andy farrell wants him to learn the basic's of rugby union before chucking him straight in at the deep end. so no doubt joel tomkins will learn there rules and become a very good player.

its only sensible to give at least a year in reserves to rugby league converts as its a completely new game, union might be boring but there is alot of rules and fuss you need to know before you can play to a good level.

Made 4 appearances in the AP, 3 from the bench. 1 start in the anglo-welsh competition. Appears to be viewed as a utility back.

Eastmond is a crock. The amount of game time he has had over the past 4 years is no where near enough for him to be anything other than a journeyman.

He will be back in rugby league within 2 years. Some idiot club will offer him a bumper deal to come back, probably one of the hull clubs and he will spend the rest of his career being shipped between the mid table clubs.

Its a shame because the lad has talent, hes just made of biscuits

I can recall a lot of Leeds fans not that many years ago voicing similar opinions of Jamie Jones-Buchanan. He's not gone on to have too bad a career.

Young players are notoriously susceptible to injury, the playing and training required at full time level takes a lot of toll on developing young bodies.

I wouldn't be so keen to write him off just yet.

Always seemed to be injured or playing with an injury when he was at Saints.

I agree with most that he will be back in League within 2 years, whether that's a good thing will depend on him.

such an awful waste in my opinion, he was very exciting to watch but unfortunately as someone else said, has made some ill-advised decisions so early in his career. And if I was a rugby league player going to union I would go with Andy Farrell or Shaun Edwards. Bath was the wrong club for Kyle

Went to Bath RU chasing the £££££'s and the dream of representing England, no doubt on the strength of his agent's 'advice'. Don't think he's played a full game yet. What a waste.

I suppose players look at the likes of Ashton and see big money and fame. Perhaps they'd be better off looking at the likes of Chev Walker, Lee Smith etc before they sign up.

Re Eastmond, its not just his injuries, he is a classic RL player. In RL he could play anywhere in the backline and be good. I'm not sure where he could play in Union apart from the wing. If I were an RU scout, I'd be looking for RL players who look suited to their game, rather than just stars in another sport. RL used to make the same mistake time and again when raiding RU back in the day.

Bath are a great RU club, they will help him learn and develop like they would one of their younger players. Kyle knew exactly what he was getting himself in for and it hasn't materialised because Bath have a new owner who has many many £'s and can afford to splash out on international players from New Zealand and South Africa et al. This will make it tough for Kyle.

He does have one upside though, the new coaching staff at Bath may give him a shot but if he doesnt take it well expect the sword to come out and a swift tail between the legs moment back to RL.

I want him to do well as he is a great talent, its a shame he cares more about his publicity than his performance.

Worlds best ever joke, love it!

Eastmond could play on the wing, or at fullback in union, and in any other country apart from england he could play outside centre where pace, agility and ball skills are key (in england its just another battering ram).

I honestly think that Eastmond would be a very good player at Fullback in union if he got fit (which i doubt will happen). he can kick (a key part of kick and clap) and I would be excited to see him return a ball in union, picking off front 5 forwards (props, hookers and locks) and running at them. he would run rings round them.

however, it doesnt look like he will make it (Being a fan of union i can tell you lots of coaches have been impressed with him, but his fitness has let him down). many people were looking to see him play as his team mates had said they had seen nothing like him in training. he looks like he will return to league, and i would be happy to see him at wigan. put an organiser along side him and he can just play his natural game.

Come on Betts, sign him up