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Don't really agree there dirty Harry. Deaves has shown enough for long enough at the Ospreys to suggest he's ready. Basham came in against the same opposition a few years back and played the house down.
Perhaps I agree that Deaves won't have the best platform to shine, he'd be better paired with a big abrasive 6, and an 8 in better form than Wainwright, but I'm still backing him to shine as he's a great all round player.
Mann has also proved some people wrong imo. He was excellent last week, and as you said he wasn't as bad v Arg as I initially thought. I still think he's a little small for 6, but his attitude and dog elevstes him slightly.
Edit. This side is getting closer to the one I want to see. Beard or Jenkins need replacing with a lock who's willing to carry some ball. Llewellyn has yet to prove anything. Murray should not be at fullback. This is a huge step in the right direction though!
And how good a stead has that held Bashams career? Hes probably another example of thrown in, and left to rot.
Thats what i mean about Mann, hes not a destructive 6 like Underhill, hes not a defencive technical like Lydiate was, hes not athletic like Wainright could be there, hes just a converted 7 whos ok at everything, but not great at anything.
I also dont think he was excellent last week, he was improved on Argentina, but lets be honest the oppositiin played a huge part in that. I was dissapointed he didnt stand out more, as i said before the game he was primed for a MOTM performance against Japan.
100% agree with Jenkins and Beard, Beard is past it, and Jenkins looks like hes going through the motions, i think playing with Beard is negatively effecting him, he lioks so much more athletic at Exeter. I want to see both thrown out and give Fender, Davies, Thomas and Williams or at least a combination of them meaningful game time.
