Where does everyone see Clarkson playing long term? With the emgergence of Stevie Ward as the intended long term successor to Sinfield will Clarkson be moved up into the second row? I have a lot of time for Clarkson but he's really got improve the attacking side of his game, he's shown glimpses of what he can do over the last couple of years but he never does much with the ball on a consistant basis.

This all comes down to instruction IMO of what he is asked to do. It is quite clear what his job is when he plays. Be a rock, tackle everything in sight and make the dirty yards when required.

It's a job he does very well.

He has shown himself to be quite deadly near the try line, runs smart, strong lines.

From what I have seen of him, he doesn't have brilliant passing skills, but is a workhorse. I would have him as a second row based on that.

He said in an interview after the Grand Final he wanted to work on the offensive side of his game, I am sure it will come.

I think he does have the offensive skills in his game, just needs more confidene to show them. In his first year he often ran some great lines which made him a real threat near the line.
Whilst he may not have the passing skills yet he does seem to have a very good awareness and vision of the game, his pass to Webb in the play-offs at the Galpharm been an example of this.

Being.

He reminds me very much of a young Gareth Ellis, I think he could progress into an international player for sure!

saw this on bbc and came on here to see what you lot thought

pre-gf success i definitely remember opinion on here being against clarkson - didnt offer enough, too small to be a threat etc etc

FWIW i think he is a decent player, some way off being a top sl forward but as has been pointed out hes got time on his side!

Great news, he just needs to work on his passing game to move onto the next level.

Hope he realises his potential. Will be a great signing if he does.

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