Parling gave us three and a bit seasons of high energy, low error rugby in the loose. He was never a power house but he got through a mountain of work and was one of the few England forwards that understood the idea of carrying at a gap. He was also one of the few that understood giving away dumb penalties with a dumb idea. In short, very far from useless. I'm happy we've moved on but he was a damn fine servant and did just fine with our scrum before the training camp from hell, even when partnered with Lawes.
Incidentally, it also took a very special level of incompetence to take a lineout that had functioned perfectly adequate up to 2015 and then turn it into absolute crap all year regardless of who was involved.
Still, as Toby says, lets wait and see. Although I think anything less than a very close loss with a very credible performance will see a lot of critical questions raised. Personally I'm not so much trusting him as keeping an open mind as to whether he can be trusted, albeit with a lean towards 'Yes' at present.
Incidentally, it also took a very special level of incompetence to take a lineout that had functioned perfectly adequate up to 2015 and then turn it into absolute crap all year regardless of who was involved.
Still, as Toby says, lets wait and see. Although I think anything less than a very close loss with a very credible performance will see a lot of critical questions raised. Personally I'm not so much trusting him as keeping an open mind as to whether he can be trusted, albeit with a lean towards 'Yes' at present.
