I think his time has come he's surly seen to be the future it worked for Saints.

TT for England?

Southernwood (5'9 - 70kg) is too small to play first grade. Look at what happened to Wigan when they played that slightly built Tomkins lad - 5'9 - 79kg (Sam not Joel obviously). Way too small he is!

Tbf, Tomkins is one of the smallest, so if Southernwood is even smaller it may be risky.

Having said that, Rob Burrow is only 66kg and he's done alright.

Yeah but Tomkins has been playing first grade for a year. He would have been a similar size when he made his debut.

I suppose.



I'm in the give him a shot camp. A young half back has got to do better in his normal position than a senior full back/back rower/centre/hooker being put in the halves.

Rob Burrow isn't 5'9" so his muscle mass in proportion means it's less of an issue.



Without being to hard on Southernwood I'd say 70kg and 5'9" means he's a bit of a shrimp, he's just 11st 2lbs .



I'd not fancy his chances if he got isolated in defence.



Add to that Southernwood is much younger than Tomkins when he made his debut.

Size didn't stop Donaldson tackling that fat prop from Wigan with the silly name all on his own a year or so ago though - but I get your point.



Southernwood's not exactly on the stocky side is he? For a full game he'd be targeted for sure and that would drain him for when he did have the ball in hand.

I think the key is to break Southernwood in gently and I'm sure the coaching staff know it. If he gets a run this year I'd put him on off the bench at a time when the opposition have their least damaging runners out there. For example, say when Hull take off Lauaki and Manu I'd stick Southernwood on!

Eastmond is still only 75kg now, he's been ripping SL up this season.



I remember Leon Pryce being fairly skinny when he made his debut (but he was tall which makes him look skinnier).



Danny Brough is only 76kg aswell.



I don't reckon he's exceptionally small, he'd manage imo and if he's in he squad then he can't be too far off selection.

Eastmond and Brough are both shorter than Southernwood. 11st on someone 5'9" is quite skinny.

Pryce is 6ft 4 and was more than 11st when he debuted on the wing.



Ask around at the club and you'll get told that Southernwood was brought in with an eye to 2011+. They'll also say that he needs to put on some muscle.

I don't doubt that he needs to, but the club also needs someone to play scrum-half, and I'd suggest that he's getting closer to his debut. If we keep playing like last week McNamara will have no other alternative.