Alfie

[Heathen]

https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/1333382638384635905

[DGP Wasp]

Impressive, especially so in a losing cause.

I know stats don't always tell the full story, but hard to argue when it's as emphatic as that.

[Shugs]

Yes, he carried phenomenally and for the immediate future we'll probably need him at six. Aside from the carrying though I thought our breakdown work and defence suffered as a result of not having a recognised six in there. Of course that's not Barbeary's fault - he's doing a sterling job of filling in. But I've seen a bit of speculation that suggests we develop him as a back rower. I'm not sure those instincts are there with him so I think he should be seen as a hooker filling in for now.

[Montague Withnail]

That's off 19 carries (!!), 5 defenders beaten, 2 clean breaks. Also 9 tackles, 1 missed.

On the work-on side of the ledger - 3 turn-overs conceded.

[Brandnewtorugby]

I love the way he fights for everything, but worry that on occasion that is what lead to the turnovers, or not working with the supporting runners on a break.

[bigad82]

Gonna have to do without him the weekend.
He has been called up by England.

[DGP Wasp]

Good on him. (Not ideal for Wasps mind)

Looks like he might be in as a 3rd hooker as Dunn hasn't been recalled. Only George and C-D as recognised hookers. England's back row cupboard is quite well stocked.

[BdeB]

Yes, he carried phenomenally and for the immediate future we'll probably need him at six. Aside from the carrying though I thought our breakdown work and defence suffered as a result of not having a recognised six in there. Of course that's not Barbeary's fault - he's doing a sterling job of filling in. But I've seen a bit of speculation that suggests we develop him as a back rower. I'm not sure those instincts are there with him so I think he should be seen as a hooker filling in for now.

I agree, I think he could be a top class back row player maybe even a regular international but he is potentially the best hooker in the world. I know where he will be most valuable moving forward and that is as a 2. I can see the wisdom in playing him in the back row for now but I would hope to see him at hooker by the end of the season.

[backdoc]

I don't know how good he can be at hooker because I have never seen him play professional rugby in that position. I have seen him play U18 and U20 Amateur rugby.

Bloody leave him alone EJ.

[Hymenoptera]

What a BS callup, he's got a handful of prem minutes in the back row...Great for him but seriously?
Who's left in the BR now, Ben Morris and Youngs?

[Shugs]

What a BS callup, he's got a handful of prem minutes in the back row...Great for him but seriously?
Who's left in the BR now, Ben Morris and Youngs?

Completely agree - it's a bonkers pick. You either have to accept the lunacy of him being picked as a back rower amongst one of the best back rows around or the lunacy of him being picked as a hooker having not played there in the Prem. Of course he has the potential to be a regular in the future but this smacks of the ridiculous "apprentice" lark. Let him have time in the Prem rather than ping ponging between training camps.

[WaspsUpNorth]

Congratulations to Alfie, he's obviously got the potential to be one hell of a player in the loose.  EJiot can hardly have picked him as cover for hooker - I think Dobby has probably thrown in to more Premiership lineouts! 

[Steve from Cov]

Outstanding prospect but I feel it’s a little too soon even to be an apprentice England player.

[Rossm]

Perhaps Mental Eddie has called him up as a centre

[coddy]

Congratulations to Alfie hopefully the first of many call ups for the lad.


Leaves us in a bit of a pickle for the Falcons though. I can see Gaskell going to the back row and the new 2nd row from Pirates going straight in the starting 15 although he plays a lot at six so could replace Alfie.