12 - 6 england at half time v parramatta, a try from james duckworth and a try and two goals from ryan hampshire

Hampshire really looks to be taking this tour by the scruff of the neck.



When's the first test?

Next Sunday in Canberra. I was talking to one of the lads mums last night before the game. She said they were loving it out there.

following england rl twitter

Yes





Don't think much of that Hampshire lad though.

24 - 6 now.

Hampshire scored another and one from Ben Currie.

from his peformances so far, does connor farrell have the look of a man that could be the SOL replacement in 2-3 years time, or is he just another to add to our LOOOONG list of 2nd row/centres ? (i havent seen anything from liam farrell or chris tuson to suggest that they are capable of being good enough)

Joe (Budgie) Burgess has just gone in from 70 metres.

36 - 12 latest.

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@n_clarke

Bit harsh on Liam Farrell I think. He's not the O'Loughlin type of loose forward but then again who is. When he's played at loose forward he's done very well. He's only 22 so there's also lots of time for him to improve. He's got an excellent pass on him (except if it's to Ben Flower) although he's not got that organisational or playmaking ability that Lockers has.



From what I've seen Connor is a little more versatile, he's been used at loose forward, hooker, stand off, scrum half and centre in the past before settling in the back row. He's skilful but I think it'll be a few years before anyone can tell what sort of a player he's going to be. I'd like to see him used in a few more positions to be honest given how much competition there is in the back row. I don't understand why players are made to play one position and one position only. Versatility can benefit a player.

Liam Farrell is a super player but I think your right that to compare him to Lockers is unfair. I actually think to compare him to anybody is unfair because he's such a unique sort of player. He does things in a way i've rarely seen anybody do in the past. His running style is weird crabbing along sideways and even backwards and by the looks of it at little pace but he just seems so awkward to put down at times and when he does break the line he has got a good burst of speed. He can play with the ball and get his passes away but he's not a playmaker like Lockers is and when we've been so used to that type of loose forward any player will struggle to get everyones full backing in that position if they don't play in that mould.



The one area Farrell has to work on is his defence. He works hard, makes lots of tackles and doesn't miss many but he very rarely dominates the tackle and seems to have a real job on his hands to bring players to ground.

Please don't get me wrong, I have no doubts about Liam F being an asset to the team - but I see this as being in as a creative 2nd row.

SOL is a hard act to follow, but lets remember he is still a little way behind his predecessors eg Faz Snr, Hanley and Phil Clarke. I would like to see us with another player in that mould to do all the hard work, lead the pack and create the platform for the more creative players like Faz Jnr to play on.