La Rochelle vs Sale

[Dan. Dan. Dan.]

I didn't mean constantly! Just that he'll learn more from this game than by getting parity with seasoned prem props.
And as a former fat number 8 who was occasionally forced into propping despite probably being too tall, with dodgy knees and a bad back, I concur that he really shouldn't be playing too much, and that props shouldn't get much of a look in internationally until their mid twenties...

[16th man]

Bit unfair. The lad is 20 years old. He only became a Sale first team squad regular this year. He has more than held his own against some very experienced THs this season e.g. Brooks, Afoa, Schonert and others. He is very adept in the loose, especially over the ball. Sure Antonio bettered him in some of the scrums on Saturday, but he was the first this season and Antonio is a handful for most in the scrum. Rodd needs a close season or two in the gym, rather than holding tackle bags for Eddie (where have we heard that before). Give the lad a bit of time - he has plenty of promise and all the best props were 20 once!

That he's 20 and needs development time is kind of the point I'm making. All the above is absolutely true, so any suggestion that people, should be thinking about him in any context for the next world Cup, is very premature.

I don't think anyone is suggesting he'll be ready for the next world cup.

Timbo very much seemed to be