No thanks. Great broken field runner but below average in every other aspect of the game.  As others have mentioned, in Green, Lynagh, Murley and David we have plenty of better young(ish) options already.

Plus we need to address hooker and back row recruitment before considering a back three signing.

This is not in any way an attempt to imply knowledge of the specifics of this case, but I do think it’s worth being careful about criticisms over chasing cash. People can be under economic, family and cultural pressures around their income which are quite different from what many of us experience and aren’t readily apparent from the outside.

It’s also worth noting that Gabs, on his first pro contract out of the academy, but also the top try scorer in the league and (at the time) practically a one-man attack plan for Quins, had reason to be disproportionately disappointed by the cost reduction measures deployed after lockdown.

Have to say I’m completely opposite I’d take Earle over gabs anyday he offers so much more, sadly injury has held him back.

In the hypothetical Earle versus Ibitoye, I'd have to go with Earle. Even not at his best, his size does give us something different to every other back three player on our books.

I'm just not convinced about Ibitoye at all. He has raw pace but I wouldn't say raw talent. His fundamentals just aren't up to scratch. His positioning and handling were woeful at times and I don't recall him having any real sort of kicking game either. I realise that sounds harsh, but a great moment once in every five games doesn't make up for the doing basics well.

I think Ibitoye has a lot more than just pace. His footwork and eye for a gap are very good. That said, I’d agree that his defence wasn’t up to scratch, his decision-making was iffy and there was no evidence of a kicking game to speak of. He has the instincts and athleticism to be a very good player but would really need to work on his weaknesses. If he is prepared to do that, he could still become a very good player.

I’m a fan of Earle’s and pre-injury, I would have taken him any day of the week, but these days, he just isn’t the same player. His point of difference in terms of size/power is being negated by what seems to be a sharp drop in his game sense general instincts. In his recent games he’s overrunning the play, out of position, just a bit all over the place really. I’d understand a bit more if were the physical aspects given his injury, but to me it feels more like he’s lost his feel for the game. I know he scored two tries against Leicester but both were pretty standard finishes for a Premiership winger. Given time and space, he will finish but he’s not really making the most of his opportunities right now. Hopefully he proves me wrong and sticks around.

I realise that sounds harsh, but a great moment once in every five games doesn't make up for the doing basics well.
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It seems to have worked for Johnny May ok, KQ :-)

I'm being facetious of course. I don't blame him for going for the money as we all would do that at his age but THEGPs point around he is simply not good enough overall to warrant a contract with us.

If he does come back, I'd like to see an intense course on defence with Flannery over the summer and see how it goes. His attack is good enough but if he's limited to 2 chances a game, he needs to take them. But he may not mature into that for another 2 or 3 seasons so he needs to go somewhere and knuckle down a bit.

As stated earlier, I'd rather put the time into Lynagh who does have the feel for the game, just needs to bulk up.

Merci mais non merci...

He’s got the skills but he can’t defend, which is a shame. Was hoping that he would do well for Agen after his bright start but it sounds like the French side is a wrong fit for him and most of his former Agen teammates. Good luck to him with his next move.

I though the man himself confirmed he is  not coming back