Tichtheid wrote:disco wrote:I think Barclay will be a good signing for you (would have been perfect if it had been the start of this season!) but maybe just worth tempering it by noting that his first 2 seasons will be either side of a World Cup. The third year of his deal he'll turn 34 at the start of that campaign and it will also be the 16th season of his pro career. I'd say if he plays more than 50% of Edinburgh's games during that time you'll be doing really well.
I wonder when was the last time Heaslip or O'Brien played over 50% of Leinster matches? These guys play the Champs Cup games and a smattering of league games. If Edinburgh are to pull themselves, ourselves, out of the hole we need that sort of depth. Allied to that is the hope that Barclay will be the ideal mentor for Ritchie, Crosbie, Bradbury, Miller etc, his worth could be far greater off the park. No disrespect to the others, but having a new guy come in, someone of that caliber, it can be really inspiring.
I think a similar depth argument stands for Marfo and the looseheads (sounds like a band), we need at least three guys who can slot into any position, hopefully without dropping the standard. Dickinson isn't going to be around as a player for too much longer even if he does get back to full fitness, that leaves Sutherland, Dell and Marfo to cover a whole season of over thirty club games plus eight internationals, even if they all stay fit it's a heavy schedule.
2014/15 for Heaslip; 2010/11 for O'Brien