Depends on where he is in his development? If he's ready and looking good he's too much of a talent to have missing out.

Yeah I think the Marshall injury forces our hand to a certain extent. Escare is too short to defend kicks effectively on the wing. Teams would target him big time. Plus it makes the kick to the corner a none-option for ourselves.

Is he greatly different in size to Marshall?

I could be wrong, but I'm fairly sure that Marshall (himself a fairly short winger) is still taller than Escare. I won't look up the playing stats as they tend to be wrong. Plus Marshall has presumably spent the last decade or so up to this point playing on the wing and learning to overcome his height disadvantage. Like many, I'd play Escare at FB with Tomkins at SH. I'd run with Manfredi on the wing, and if he isn't ready, I'd stick Sarginson there, as he is taller and has played well there for us previously when required.

I think Escare would be as good if not better than Marshall under the high ball as a former FB. Marshall was very suspect when targeted with high kicks again larger, taller wingers. I would rule out Escare as a replacement winger just cause of his height.

Don't see the point in moving Sarge to the wing over Escare or Manfredi.

I'd probably go with Manfredi on the wing (if he comes through Wednesday o.k) and Escare on the bench.

Sounds about right.

Would it be safe to say Escare is fully fit now ?
A couple of months ago he looked like he was dragging a fridge behind him when put in the clear, no-one was catching him at the weekend, great to see.

He's the same height as Jason Robinson, I seem to recall he had no problem on the wing

Mullen is a quality option for the wing also, we really are quite blessed in that position. Marshy is likely out till Mid-March/Early-April 2020.

When's Burgess back?

20 months?

Joe 7 month

Sorry, 2019.

It was a different game back then though. Opposition wingers generally weren't as tall, and the kick to the corner wasn't as prominent.

At least a fullback on the wing should be comfortable under the high ball. I am all for rewarding players who have done well as a way of encouraging them to work hard. There is no need to rush Manfredi back whilst Morgan is performing well.

John Kear spotted it at Wembley in 1998!!

Phew

Wouldn't rule out Manfredi playing again this season, makes a nice incentive for him and with our injuries on the wing, there's a fair chance that we'll need him.

All that said, there isn't a cat in hell's chance that'd let him play any part in the Saints game, even if it means playing someone else out of position.

We'll have several games after that which are almost dead rubbers. If he's genuinely ready, play him in those.

I agree with this. Especially considering that Escare has a fair amount of experience on the wing. And Mullen, although he didn’t possess the explosiveness of Marshall or Burgess, looked assured and solid when he played on the wing earlier in the year.

Well he got through the 80 and looked pretty good I thought. One try, one try assist and some powerful runs.

Another step on the road to a first team comeback. I’d start Escare at Saints and give Manfredi a place on the bench. We can use Escare to spell Tommy/Powell then and get Manfredi a decent spell.

If he is fit get him on the wing against Saints. Why are we waiting? If he is doing the same training as everyone else he should be judged on his merits. Waiting and waiting isnt going to help him. Ask the medical experts if hes ready get him in. He is in a different league to Escare and Wane has hinted for a couple of weeks he would use him at Saints

I’d agree, as we won’t be seeing Burgess or Marshall again this year, as long as the medics say he is good to go the sooner we get him in the better chance he will be match fit and ready to go for the semis.

It's a shame we've lost two left-wingers now and are left with two right-wingers. I imagine it would be Tom Davies who moves to the left if Manfredi plays?