RISING England star Kyle Eastmond was officially named as the successor to Sean Long yesterday and was immediately tipped to become a big hit.
The 20-year-old, one of the revelations in England’s encouraging Four Nations campaign, has been handed the number seven jersey in St Helens’ new squad list.
Eastmond played in every back position for Saints this year and starred at centre in the Grand Final, but is earmarked to fill the scrum-half boots of Long, who has joined Hull.
“He played excellently at centre this year but I’d rather have him in the middle of the park where he can get his hands on the ball a bit more,” said Eastmond’s England and St Helens team-mate James Graham.
“He has grown lots as a player and I know it’s an old cliche but the world is his oyster, it really is.
“I remember him as a 16-year-old and thinking ‘If he keeps his feet on the ground, he can go all the way’ and he’s starting to get there.”
New signing Sia Soliola, who played for New Zealand in the second row, has been handed Saints’ vacant number four jersey while prop Nick Fozzard has reclaimed the number eight shirt on his return from a season at Hull KR.
Coach Mick Potter has also promoted academy players Jack Bradbury and Lee Gaskell to his Super League squad.
