Thought he went well at fullback yesterday, nothing spectacular but towards the end he was causing real problems with his pace. Watching Bowen against Leeds last week, he was really struggling to keep up with play and get round the back on our attacks and this was one of the main reasons Smith and Williams were being hit over and over again.

Against a strong defence with quick line speed, your play needs to be quick and with Bowen at FB I think we get caught out. As mentioned, Leeds showed that last week and Saints will be no different. I realise the aerial threat will be high but Hampshire offers a hell of a lot more in attack and must start for me.

Thought he did ok last night and on performances so far this season by all concerned deserves to keep his place at FB on Friday.

Think he went well Friday. Did a lot of little things right. Hope he keeps the shirt for the next few games!

Time for review/reflection.

He's been given his chance and done very well. My man of the match yesterday despite his goalkicking.
At some stage he will probably have a poor game (all young players do). Wane has some interesting decisions to make over the next few weeks and that may mean giving the likes of Bowen, Powell, Lockers, Charnley, Thornley etc some game time.

It will also mean he can give Hampshire, Williams, Sutton, Burgess, Manfredi a bit of a rest. It's a very good position to be in but I'll guarantee there'll be much "debate" on here if and when it happens.

My biggest concern is Lockers at present, irrespective of our other combinations in the backs and halves, we just look a completely different side when he's fully fit and playing. He has that rare ability to make the rest of team click properly.

I believe he is the difference between finishing in the top 4 and doing well in the playoffs, without him IMO it will be a struggle.
Also one more serious injury to lockers and I believe he's finished and will retire, I just hope he can stay injury free and get some match fitness cause boy we miss him, he's our only world class player.

Our only world class player ' for now ' fingers crossed.

Hampshire has been given his chance and taken it. After his form v Catalans he can't be dropped surely? The pace he brings is special and any opposition will struggle to deal with it.
With Hampshire at full back along with wingers of Burgess, Manfredi/Charnley we have the fastest back three in SL.
When this topic started it was a good question.
Hampshire has now answered it, his face does fit and more importantly the number 1 shirt seems to be fitting him bettter each week.

A lot of things have been answered both by Hampshire and Wane.

Wane has given him a couple of weeks to play fullback and by keeping Bowen out it shows that he trusts him to do a good job. Hampshire has since repaid that trust by giving 100% plus, as well as showing enormous potential even though it may not be his preferred position.

If Hampshire is in against Wire instead of Bowen, the week after against Wakefield would give Wigan a chance to reward Rocky and also see him at standoff now he is playing with confidence.
Matty Smith has played a tremendous amount of Rugby over the last 2/3 years without hardly a break and he seems to be playing now with a bit of an injury. It would be an ideal time to rest Matty, move Williams to scrumhalf and give Rocky a run at standoff and by doing so it would help to set in motion the idea that a bit of a rotation policy when needed would help if required.

Our timing seems to go to pot when Lockers isn't holding it together in the middle. When he's in the side and firing everyone seems to lift and the concentration levels seem far better.

Yesterday was the first time we've not thrown about 4 try scoring passes behind a runner, in to touch, to floor etc which made a pleasant change.

You make a very good point about Matty Smith and I think that is something people forget.

He has been very...very durable at Wigan - I would be interested to know how many games he has missed since joining us because there can not be that many?

I agree he would probably benefit from a rest if we can afford it.

If Smith is to be rested then v Wakefield surely rather than Wire?

Yep, would go with that.

Wire game too important and we may not get away with it on Thursday!

He got hit late a couple of years ago in a home game and missed 3 - 4 weeks, but I don't think he has missed many other games. Ever present this season apart from his one-game suspension, so he is due a rest.

We can then see how Williams at 7 and Rocky at 6 play together at first team level. And this would also give Bowen a run out at 1 without "dropping" Rocky.

[urlhttp://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/ryan-hampshire-told-he-has-a-future-at-wigan-warriors-despite-sam-tomkins-capture-1-7222322[/url

...Asked whether there would be a place for Hampshire next season, chairman Ian Lenagan added: “No doubt.

“If you look at the potential spine of the team, you have players who can fill in at six, seven, nine and one – there’s no question that Ryan Hampshire, George Williams and Sam Powell... we have enough room for them here.”

Promising noises about Hampshire.

It would be criminal to let talent like that walk out the door.

Something will have to give though.

Well, Powell, presumably.

No mention of Tierney though.

It's a shame but he's simply not good enough to break into the team. With Sam coming back he has no chance of ever playing fullback for us. He's played on the wing before but he also has no chance of getting in the team ahead of Manfredi or Josh.

It would be the right career move for him to leave us at the end of the season.

Whilst he wouldn't be 1st choice it could be useful to have Tierney around the squad as a 3rd choice fullback/winger. Outside of Thornley (sp) there won't be much cover out wide, especially with Budgie leaving.
Were he to leave, have we got any kids coming through who could do a job on one of the flanks in case of a 1st teamer's absense? Gildart is the only outside back I've really seen hyped up much.

He gets a mention in the full article : “I did the same with Lewis Tierney, and he knows what he needs to do. But Rocky can play in the halves, Lewis played on the wing against Salford – and played really well.”

The one who doesn't get a mention is Logan.

At the last fans forum Rads said they were looking to agree new deals with Hampshire, Sarginson and Charnley very soon. I've not seen any new deals announced since for any of the three.
Should any of them leave, or two out of the three, then keeping Tierney and Thornley would become essential.

Players may leave due to Sam's arrival but I'd be looking elsewhere.
Bowen and Burgess are going/gone! Patrick is on a loan deal and needs to be very convincing very soon if he is to stay. Hughes and Burke are out on loan, their return isn't guaranteed.
That's five players of which only one is a regular first teamer now.

A lot of Rugby to be played yet and some may surprise.
Sam Tomins will be fitted under the salary cap, you can bet on that with IL!

We have a partnership with Workington Town but we don't seem to be using it as much this year. Manfredi has played there a few times this season and when he went straight in to the first team he hasn't looked back. Tierney has played there spasmodically which isn't doing him or Town any good. Gildart played for Town last week and now he's gone on loan to Salford. Same with Greenwood, couple of games up there and also on loan at Salford. Other clubs are getting these players for at least a month at a time but our partners don't know from one week to the next if or who they will be getting. Doesn't seem right!!

The only one I'd keep from the potential departures you mention is Greg Burke.

Sam Hopkins is another who will probably leave. He'll be on a modest wage you'd think but it'll create a bit more room.

Lenagan has already stated that his arrival isn't dependant on the marquee player rule although he has stated it would help. We can't be too greedy but another big prop would be handy but if Sam's the only signing then so be it.