Clarke is a good hooker and his criticism came from the way he was forced top play from acting half by jumping the ball before passing to freeze the markers & make a gap behind the second marker for the forwards to exploit. With some teams that works, with others it doesn't. Clarke's best work comes from organising defence, tackling & when going forward he rolls the pack on well. He's improved vastly in the last 18 months.
Problem is .. Monaghan. Monas is on fire, and as such, do we need a starting hooker, or an impact hooker, or (as a lot of teams are looking at) an 80 minute hooker. Clarke for me isn;t an impact hooker. Smiths decision, and will be based on a mix of that week's opposition, seeing them 7 days a week (rather than 80 on a weekend) and fitness.
I wouldn't think he'd get a run out at 13. Smith doesn;t seem to go for ball playing forwards, rather an additional hitter. Clarkes also trained too lean for 13.
To be honest Clarke may be forced out, and it is likely to be his style of play in our squad rather than any problem with his talent.
Oh one last point, those arguing that Clarkes inclusion in the recent England squads was due to Cunningham not being available. When was the last time Cunningham declared himself available fro England & not Wales ffs.
