Good news this....I like Clarkson a lot, and he seems to have come a long way in a short space of time, from being a part-timer and brickie for his dad's building company. As for where he slots in, in the grand scheme of things, if Mac continues to utilise Sinny at SO, I would think second row/loose forward will be where Clarkson will be used. But with the addition of Griffin, and Richard Moore this year, plus Hauraki wanting to prove a point in 2012, there seems to be a fair bit of competition for places all over the team. If we can keep everyone fit in 2012, it will be a nice problem for Mac to have, and should keep everyone on their toes.

Clarkson will be our new Graham Eccles. Never spectacular, but always one of the first named on the team sheet for his industrious non stop defensive efforts and ability to punch above his relatively sleight frame.

Ablett should be the first choice LF for 2012....but young Stevie Ward should be given his opportunity asap as second or even first choice cover at LF.

Good signing, agree he is unspectacular but very good player. Wasn't as good going forward last year but nice and solid and as some said I would assume it was a case of doing as was asked by the coach. In the 2010 season he ran some cracking lines. Good signing to long term deal for me.

cracking news, as someone else said, one of the work horses all teams need. i like him got youth on his side to develop rest of his game.

first half or so of last season i thought he was average, second season syndrome maybe.
boy did he kick on though. he was fantastic in the last ten games and once he gains a bit more experience and bulks up a touch he will be an england regular for years to come