Really? You must of missed the live press conference from the HJ about it on SSN.

We had one of them with millward . is that really big business in warrington ?

TBH I thought we owned SSN we are on it that much... were next? the vatican??

Not the point is it? Crunchy was talking balls

Heres one for the lovers of this being a huge deal, if Gareth Thomas is such a massive pull in Wales then why didn't masses and masses of Welsh people go to see him play for a Welsh side?

Only people making a BIG deal about this is yourself and a few wiganers who think he'll be wearing the number 4 next season.

I wonder will Thomas play in more winning Wigan teams than Johns did at Wire?

No chance personally he will get the NO.1 shirt.

I thought they did at first, wasn't the ground full with over 10,000 for their first game against Leeds? as we know fans can be fickle when confronted with a side that isn't winning many..

Who knows what he will bring but IMO having a winner in your side, playing or not playing can only be good for a young side like this wigan team.

maybe he signed for athletic?

They did but he wasn't playing.

I think you are just putting a negative spin on things. Of course he was a RU player and yes he is a bit past it...

BUT it DOES give is publicity whichever way you look at it, Wigan WILL be on the news... he WILL be taking part in big interviews. Ths film WILL be viewed by lots of people.

This WILL raise the profile of Wigan RL, lots of people will hear about us through this. Did I claim the whole of Wales will convert? You are an expert at making things up like that to make you look better Dave.

Young Welsh RU players will care about him being at Wigan, they will know about Wigan. Like others have said, this could give us a chance of recruiting some good young RU talent.

Whichever way you look at it Dave, this DOES get Wigan publicity. It did a lot for Wrexham, it made people aware of them in Wales.

I will accept your argument that you think it may be a little more negative than positive, if you want to think like that then I won't stop you. His age and ability is not the issue though. I wouldn't complain if we signed David Beckham to be honest, he is past it, can't even play RL. Who cares, its publicity. If thats what the signing was for then I am confident IL will make the most of it.

We will have our answer when we see him on the news talking about us and in interviews talking about us, that WILL raise the profile of the club whichever way you look at it!

I don't really want a reply, you are just being same old predictable DaveO.

Wrong question. What will we gain is the question that should always be asked when signing a player.



You are overstating the criticism of these players in this position by a long way. For example Joel may really be a 2nd row but he is so far ahead of Thomas as a centre I simply cannot believe you have written the above in all seriousness. You are making them out to be thought of as far worse than they are to justify this signing. That is very poor IMO.



That is a happy clapper statement if ever I saw one. Why? Because you are prepared to cast a current Wigan player in a negative light so you don't have to say anything negative about Wigan signing Thomas.

And what has any of that got to do with Wigan signing a 37 year old not-very-good player anyway?

I salute you sir.
Game, set and match.



And won't cost us a penny, but will make us a lot.

Just watch the newspapers when it happens, and see how much publicity it generates.

The final scenes for the film are already being written.

"Gareth, what do you think?"
Billy Boston walKs in.

"Unbelievable. I'm privileged to have just signed for the greatest and most famous Rugby League club in the world.

Boston and Thomas shake hands.

"Shaun Edwards has text me from New Zealand, wishing me well, but also telling me what an honour it is to wear that Wigan shirt"

Is Dwain Chambers doing anything next season?

You should be a spin doctor Rogues.

I thought that was the game he got wacked and had to come of?

If Iestyn harris, who has worked with him for two years, is willing to bank his reputation on it if he's wigan new No2, then IMO what have we got to lose??

Every one is talking about this film but I can see it being a massive flop, I respect Mickey Rourke but they guys 58 how can he play a rugby player 20 years younger than him?

He hadn't signed yet he did go off on his debut though.

Its not going to be a rugby film. its going to be a film about gareth thomas life off the field..there maybe 10-15mins in the whole film with rugby action.

The script as already had encouraging feed back in hollywood.

You have to hand it to IL.

This is pure genius.

All the talk for weeks and weeks has been about Sam Tomkins.

We have a massive game at the weekend against the Wolfs and the lad would have been under a huge spotlight.

So what does IL do - think of the one way to take the pressure off Tomkins, make a signing that will get everyone talking, a signing of the only current RL player with a bigger profile than Sam Tomkins.

I'm sure IL being canny has an eye on the commercial advantages and the experience he brings, but this signing is a stroke of genius simply for the media distraction it offers at this moment in time.

Sam can go out now on Sunday and tear the Wolfs apart. I imagine the cameras will probably be focussing on Gareth Thomas sitting in the Wigan dug-out while he's ripping them to shreds.

IL, we are not worthy!

Why would Wigan be in the news due to this film?



You said millions would see it. The population of Wales is 3 million. One and the same thing surely? Or di you only mean 2 million



You can't just say "This WILL raise the profile of Wigan RL, lots of people will hear about us through this." without saying WHY it will raise our profile and seem be under the misapprehension Wigan RL is unknown in Wales. Far from it.



Why? Does the fact J Davies played for Widnes and Wire increase their chances? Davies is on the BBC all the time commentating on RL and the CC in RL. He's national figure. Young RU players will want to play for RU sides these days because there is more money in it. Thomas film will show him as a great RU player so it stands far more chance of inspiring them to play RU than RL. It's his game and it's their game. He is not a Billy Boston type figure or a J Davies figure who had a great RL career. He is an ex-RU player who will most likely have spent a year in the reserves at Wigan.



That is a totally different kettle of fish. Welsh former RU star going to help set up Welsh RL club at age 35 having just retired from RU is a heck of a lot more relevant to Wales than the same player two years down the line signing to play in Wigan reserves is to Wigan.



If that is why we have signed him it will backfire. Everyone will see it for what it is - a PR exercise with no substance behind it. There has to be something positive on the playing front for there to anything positive to be gained as having him as a player PR wise. If he is poor or is not played there won't be any positive PR to be had. If we sign him as a coach I think I'd be gobsmacked.



Too late and if calling a spade is spade is being predictable then guilty as charged.

So more than five hours after "Gareth Thomas signs for Wigan" appears on the SKY Sports News ticker, the SKY Sports News and the BBC websites have yet to confirm it.

?

Of course, what I'm suggesting is pure speculation and will be speculation unless Ian Lenagan comes out and publically confirms it himself, but I will way up the evidence and support my claims if challenged. Ian Lenagan has done an unbelievable job at Wigan, but he isn't immune to criticism or fault and his judgement on the [irare occasion[/i has been questionable. An example would his comment regarding Karl Pryce being world-class at a fan's forum. He does have my trust though, but I will still speculate and pass an opinion.

Whoever the coach of Wigan RL is (or any club) they will have little to no interest in the publicity a signing may bring (which is the fulcrum of everybody's defence in signing Gareth Thomas). It is the results on the field they are judged on and their jobs are on the line when it comes down to performance. Naturally it is this coaches will have in mind when recruiting a player. I'll not spell out our achievements, we're the best team in Super League at the moment. Ian Lenagan and Mike Maguire have a policy now of top draw signings. If we can't find anyone - we wont bother. Proved by the fact we just signed Paul Deacon in Maguire's first year and then the quality with the Melbourne trio the second year. Gareth Thomas is not top quality. He is 37 - going on 38 in July. Rogues said something earlier in the thread about the euphoria signing Paul Deacon made. The difference being Paul Deacon had played over 300 appearances for a three-time Grand Final winning and WCC Bradford side. Set a new club record for points scored, got in Bradford's team of the century, had over a decade of RL experience and had played for Great Britain on numerous occasions. Gareth Thomas' achievements in Rugby Union are commendable, but are near enough irrelevant when it comes to Rugby League. He has had one year of RL experience at Super League's basement club and has been average. He's had his odd moment, but overall has been exposed in defence on the few occasions I have seen him on tv. He is certainly not up to Wigan RL standard playing wise. No-one on this board has argued otherwise in fairness. So with this in mind, why would any [icoach[/i sign him? Why would Mike Maguire turn around and say, "Look Ian, I want Gareth Thomas at Wigan next year?" In terms of playing ability what would he bring to the side? Sure he has a presence and the respect of players, but you make a signing to play not to be a cheerleader. It's obvious this is an Ian Lenagan signing. Everybody bleats on about the publicity - Madge/Wane don't give a stuff. They care about performance - it's their job. I repeat - anyone who thinks this isn't an Ian Lenagan signing is being very naive. And the fact that Ian Lenagan [imight have [/i(see what I did there) made this signing makes me very uncomfortable.

I'm glad he's staying in SL for the publicity and I'm pretty surprised at your fans reactions - he's a solid player and dedicated professional. If he plays well enough to get in the first team then I'm sure it'll be on his merits so you've not got much to lose.

As for these suggestions he won't cost Wigan anything...where's that come from? Can't see the other SL clubs being too happy if the current champions and cup holders and one of the wealthiest clubs is suddenly allowed to operate under different salary cap rules

It did say sky sources.