I disagree with that. I don't agree that his defence was very good. I thought defensively he looked pretty average (not awful by any means), but definatly need improving. When Long first came to Saints, his defence was too pretty rubbish, but it improved with time and he can now defend quite well in the centres, and hopefully Eastmond will be able to improve his defence.

I think he has improved but he is always going to find defence difficult due to his size. But he didn't shy away from defending, which is a positive.

It's not held Burrow back and, as you say, he chucks his body in there regardless of the size of the opposition.

Size shouldn't matter most of the time, if the technique is right.

It'll come, you can teach defence, you can't teach talent in attack, of which Arnold has bucketloads.

That is why I think saints should keep these young kids feet on the ground ( Hence George Best Man Utd of past years). It all good nueturing young players to be come good un's for the future. It got to be for the better not just attack football. Shaun Long made plentty of try saving tackles in his career!!!!

Very good. First 20 he was average and pretty anonymous, second half he was immense.

I still have doubts about him but hopefully he continues to grow on the field. If he continues to play like that Longy should be knowhere near the squad.

But Burrow (a) has a few years on Kyle to perfect his technique and (b) still makes errors of judgment, eg at Leeds last year in the CC semi when he was out for the count and had to be helped off the pitch. Kyle has improved quite a bit on last season, for instance, in terms of his technique and effort but he is bound to continue finding it a challenge given the difference between him and the majority of men he is tackling.

I didn't say very good though

For his size and position and against the likes of Cooper, Carvell and T'other big fella who's name escapes me, who targeted him in defence on occasion, he didn't hide too much or shirk his responsibility in fronting up to their attack and he put in some good tackles.

Of course he has some work to do but for now, not bad.

First time I've seen Eastmond looking like the real deal of a half who can boss the team, rather than a kid playing a bit-part role. Really looked threatening when he got the ball (far more than Pryce, for example), and I was looking forward to him touching the all every time, as he was so full of potential for damage. Top stuff. And for a right-handed player, that pass he delievred for Gardner's try was really impressive.

If he can keep that form up, then we have our answer to the departing Long problem.

Am I right in thinking he's not signed a proper first team contract yet?

I thought Kyle did very well today in a side he's still not used to controlling or leading. If he's going to grow and develop beyond the level we saw today then we are in good hands, my only concern being his ability to last a season due to his physical dimensions.

There were on or two moments today when I saw said 'wow' out loud. Like the injection of pace and the pass for Gardner's try. Such a simple skill but it was absolutely clinical.

I agree, he doesnt have th technique of Roby or Lomax but its good to see that he wasnt scared of getting in on people like Matt King (who is a foot taller)

Going forward that turn of speed is immense and he ghosted through two defenders to put Wello in.
Kicking needs to be looked at, it isnt very bad but its rushed and sometimes abit wild.

Overall he had a good first major game.

i cant wait to see him and sam tomkins in the same england team it really is refreshing seeing young british talent coming through and performing like this. who said franchising was a bad thing?

All players do that at some point though, even big ones.

Let's also not forget that he's still only a kid and will get stronger as he gets older. You are right in that he will always find it a challenge to tackle bigger men, but as long as he becomes a competant defender that'll do me.

Hopefully the Warrington game will kick start him onto the next level as he has not had that many superleague games playing for the full 80 min.
I like the Little and Large combination at half back, the potentional of the most dangerous partnership in superleague is a distinct possibilty.

I think we should not expect Kyle to perform MOM week in week out. Mick Potter would probably be quite happy with 2 good performances in every 3.
Once he improves his match fitness and awareness in the next 8 weeks he could turn out to be one sensational player.