I think unless something comes out of left field recruitment is done for 2020..that being said what would be the team, if you were Lam, you would be putting out week in week out (assuming no injuries)?

For me it would be:

1 Hardaker
2 Manfredi
3 Bibby
4 Gildart
5 Burgess
6 French
7 Hastings
8 Burgess
9 Leuluai
10 Flower
11 Faz
12 Greenwood
13 Smithies

14 Powell
15 Oloughlin
16 Clark
17 Isa

There’s plenty of options. Some things I’d like to see include-

French at fullback to offer more pace

Harry Smith to get eased in from the bench

Smithies to move in to the second row rather than playing in the middle to help ease his workload and not burn him out


I’d go-

French
Manfredi Hardaker Gildart J Burgess
Leuluai Hastings
Flower Powell G Burgess
Smithies Farrell Lockers

Bullock Clark Greenwood Smith

Partington would be my choice to go in at 13 when Lockers is injured or rested.

I dont think manfredi can get thrown in as a starting winger needs games in the reserves and see how he goes

Interesting to see Love Rugby League suggesting that Jack Wells may go on loan to another Superleague club. I thought that he may have been one to break through this year. It mighty be the making of him. As expected Worthington has gone but that will not free up much cash so we may well have finished spending. We still look unbalanced in the backs and forwards.

For me Flower wouldn't be near the team. Gone for me. Would rather start with Burgess, Clark, Partington and Byrne. With a second rower and back on the bench

Wigan are looking at a forward from the NRL. The signing is dependant on Escare leaving.
I don't know who the player is though.

I’d prefer Flower over Clubb and Navarette but I agree with your point in principle.

With regards to the starting team, I’ve debated this to death with other posters and one thing that’s clear as day to me is that the main debating point is where French plays. The rest of the team kind of sorts itself out with the exception of centre, which surprisingly enough depends on where French plays!

I’m pretty sure we’ll see something like

1.French
2.Manfredi
3.Hardaker
4.Gildart
5.Burgess
6.Hastings
7.Tommy
8.Burgess
9.Powell
10.Flower
11.Isa
12.Farrell
13.O’Loughlin

14.Smithies
15.Bullock
16.Greenwood
17.Smith

Quite a few changes I’d make there but that’s what we’ll probably see

Hardaker
Manfredi Bibby Gilly Burgess
French Hastings
Burgess Powell Clark
Faz Greenwood
Smithies
—————-
Lockers, Tommy, Bullock Flower


No Clubb, Naverette, Isa, Sammut or Escare please.

I’d put Flower into your last category of players as well, no longer cuts it for me.

Flowers issues have always been the amount of injuries he picks up. When he’s fit and plays a run of games he gets in to rhythm and is very good still but another injury always seems to be around the corner.

We really could do with Bullock working his backside off in pre season. If he can sort his defence out then we know he’ll make masses of ground and George Burgess should do the same. If you’ve got two players eating ground up like that then guys like Flower and Partington can find roles around them.

Whatever the starting 17 I think we will include at least 3 props on the bench.
We don't have props who can do more than 15 or 20 minutes stints so we need the cover on the bench.

If French doesn't work out at 6 (which I don't think he will) meaning Tommy/Hastings are our halves.

Who is our second choice Hooker? Sharrocks?

The sad irony of Ben Flower, who a couple of years ago was one of the best props in the competition, suddenly losing it just as Great Britain are reconstituted.

But unfortunately what others are saying is true. He's as much a gonner now as Clubb. Both are too battered and too injury-prone.

We need warriors who can front it up every week, not once every four weeks.

I think the French dilemma could be resolved in the next few weeks if Hardaker steps up at centre for GB.

French
Manfredi / Marshall ( Only if Manfredi not Fit)
Hardaker
Gilly
Budgy
Tommy
Hastings
Burgess
Powell
Flower
ISA
Farrell
Lockers

Smithies
Bullock
Greenwood
Clarke / Clubb / Partington

Smith needs to be given some game time next season. Especially as we could be looking for two new halves in 2021.

Isa will be a starter I’m sure of it,the others on the need shipping out but Clubb ain’t going anywhere fast with his new deal is he?

Other than that I’d play that side just swapping out Greenwood for isa

Reckon:

1. Hardaker
2. Marshall
3. Bibby
4. Gildart
5. Burgess
6. Hastings
7. Leuluai
8. G.Burgess
9. Powell
10. Flower
11. Isa
12. Farrell
13. O'Loughlin

14. Bullock
15. Clark
16. French
17. Smithies

Personally I'd go

1. French
2. Marshall
3. Hardaker
4. Gildart
5. Burgess
6. Hastings
7. Sammut
8. G.Burgess
9. Powell
10. Flower
11. Isa
12. Farrell
13. Smithies

14. Bullock
15. Greenwood
16. Partington
17. Smith

I'll be glad to see Manfredi back out on the pitch if that happens, can't count on him as a starting winger after what he's been through. Would like to move on from Clubb, Leuluai and Lockers to give Partington, Smith and Smithies more chances but can't see that happening bar injury.

Edit: forgot Bullock

Lockers brings nothing to the team anymore and should not be playing next season

I wouldn't say he brings nothing, and I know you've said that for years regardless of how well he has played. His experience and leadership makes a big difference, especially in a year when we've lost Williams. I just think there's too big a risk of him leaving us with 16 men, and don't think he can even raise his performances even for a one off game anymore, the pace has left him behind.

Willie Isa is one of the worse SRs who’s played consistently at Wigan for years. He should be no where near the team let alone a starter. He’s a contributing factor to a weak pack.
Undersized, barely breaks a tackle let alone the line. Barely runs lines as he’s also now lacking pace; which is odd considering he started off in the outside backs.

Bout time he was shipped off and we got serious about our back row. Our pack was embarrassing as times this season.

I actually agree. But it was a case of picking who’s left.
Partington is a poor prop has no go forward whatsoever.

Not disagreeing with you but Isa will be a starter of that I’m sure or at worst on the bench we fans can play keyboard coach all we want be we ain’t in charge and it seems Wane and now Lam think highly of the lad.

Completely agree about Isa. If you look around the competition and see second rowers in other teams it’s baffling how Isa is playing week in week out for Wigan.

People go on about him trying hard but he offers absolutely nothing and it is a position we really need to address!