No doubting Thomas has a big future

THOMAS CLARKSON made a lot of tackles at the weekend - 15 in 51 minutes against Japan to be precise.

- BY DEREK FOLEY

Clarkson wears no3 on his back; times were when a tighthead would be praised if he made three tackles in a game.

The signs are that an impressed Andy Farrell has pencilled in Clarkson to start this weekend against Australia, which shouldn't be seen as any kind of a slight on Tadhg Furlong. With Clarkson demonstrating this kind of form, why wouldn't the head coach offer Furlong some down time? Give the National Treasure (inset) a handy weekend ahead of asking him to anchor the scrum against mighty, physical, abrasive, double-World champions South Africa.