Eastmond does not look like a organising 7 to me. He looks like a similar player to Burrow of Leeds. I honestly think Eastmonds skill set is not that of an international scrum half. He may do a fair job of it in SL, but SL is nowhere near the NRL or international standard.

I'd run with Robininson at scrum half working the middle, and Eastmond and SO and Tomkins and FB, working the edges. Put a runner at loose, like Westwood or Burgess, and a lively hooker with another on the bench, and the balance is about right

The lad is 21 years old for goodness sake

Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer, widely regarded as the best two half backs of the last decade, played at hooker and full back respectively before moving into the half backs internationally and yet Eastmond looked the part in last year’s 4 Nations

Given another couple of seasons of consistent selection policy, the likes of Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond could be the best players in the finest England team for years

Eastmond has all the qualities of a top class half back and just because he can run doesn't make him a winger, it makes him a dangerous half back

Johns played 9 for Oz yes, but he played 1st receiver on that tour (in effect half back) with Toovey having a 7 on his back playing dummy half all game. This was the 95 world cup i think. Lockyer was a fullback early on but basically played stand off in attack anyway. Both of the above during this time had the required skills to play in the halves. I have not seen Eastmond display a great kicking game or the organisational skills that could cross over to the international arena. I know he is only in his early 20's but iam sick of hearing the hype about the likes of Eastmond and Myler and not seeing what this hype wants me to believe. Eastmond can run like the wind but that trait alone will not make a good international 7. Iam sorry i dont agree with your optimistic view of our English SL half backs.

I agree that Myler has a lot to do to live up to the hype he has received over the past couple of years but I think Eastmond has shown enough in the last 4 Nations and an injury hit season with Saints to justify some optimism

Time will tell I guess

Prior to Eastmond getting injured, he was Saints best player, and many Saints fans tips for MOS. He was outstanding in many games at half back with an excellent and varied kicking game, and also set up a lot of play.
Problem is that because he has blistering pace some people get blinded by that, and all they see his him scoring great trys, and assume he is merely a runner.

Despite missing a third of the league season. Eastmond was Saints main go to kicker when on the field. This would not have been the case if he was merely a runner. A quick look at the SL stats shows he was eighth for number of attacking kicks last season. Not bad for a guy who played less than 20 games and a few of those he was playing on one leg.

Time will tell i agree. I hope iam proved wrong about Eastmond but i have not seen evidence to show me he will be this Stacy Jones type of character we need at the international level.

I dont really follow the reserves league very well so cant comment on what other Teams are bringing through, but from what i've seen at Wigan; Josh Charnley (wing/centre) Liam Farrell (SR/Loose) will both play massive parts in England RL in the Future. Lee Mossop will hopefully be the next Jamie Peacock/Adrian Morley too.

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ryan Hall
3. Josh Charnley
4. Michael Shenton
5. Tom Briscoe
6. ?
7. Kyle Eastmond
8. James Graham
9. ?
10. Lee Mossop
11. Sam Burgess
12. Joel Tomkins
13. Liam Farrell

14. James Roby
15. ?
16. ?
17. ?

Just picked the younger better players from this years squad.

Im Worried about 9 TBH, If only someone could produce a young Jimmy Lowes or Terry Newton.

What about roby and is charnley that good?