I seen that. Was it Magic Super Beetle? He or she is probably using their 5 year signings they have no chance of getting in their thinking.

Not a sniff saints beat Wigan 9 out of 10.

7 maybe 8 but not 9. This current Wigan team is easily the most hyped team In SL history

You mean the current holders of all the trophies except the CC which we play for in a few days and, if we win, become only the 3rd team in Superleague history to hold all the available trophies at the same time is the most hyped in history



I used to feel sorry for you but I can't even drum that up anymore when you don't even help yourself. You post the most infantile stuff I've ever seen on these forums and that's saying something.

Right I've given Wigan enough credit today...

Robertson scored 7 tries for our Academy on Friday night. That's some achievement at any level.

We are going to need him and some others to step up in the next couple of seasons!

Come on Stu, you can manage another couple of posts of credit, I'm sure!

I haven't seen Robertson play but, as you say, 7 tries at any level is promising. What's your thoughts on him?

I've mentioned before that him and Farrimond stood out big time when I watched the Wigan v Saints U16s game at St Judes back in 2022.

I don't know if he will be a 1 or a 6. He's played both but currently excelling at 6. He's a tall, lanky lad so needs some more size on him but he reminds me very much of Welsby when he first came through, although Robertson has the more athletic running style. His gait reminds me of Ponga, he has a great step and footwork.

However its very different stepping up to SL level and I think he is still at least 12-18 months away.

I noticed a few on RedVee suggesting he wasn't physically ready. I saw Jack Farrimond close up for the first time yesterday and he looked tiny but he's equipped himself very well in the first team when he's played. I have been particularly impressed with his willingness, even effectiveness, in defense. I know different players progress at different rates but surely Robertson, being older and a bigger lad generally, can't be that far behind Jack?

Not sure. He still looks skinny to me and he hasn't been as effective in the Reserves as yet as he is at Academy level. Given how much he is ripping the Academy up it may be worth giving him a go at some point against a bottom 2 side. He did play on the wing for the Reserves incidentally so maybe they will look to introduce him there, the same way that Dodd played 9 under Woolf for 10 mins a game whilst he bedded in.

The problem now is that the wing position is a tough one. With the amount of kick returns they put in and defending under the high ball it could be a chastening debut!

Wing is tough in the modern game. I'm not sure it's the easy baptism it once was. Look at the physical endeavours of Miski and Marshall on Saturday. Those hard yards are expected now. I think it's probably why Ritson isn't getting a look in at your place currently.

I think Robertson and Farrimond are in the same age group. U18's academy, but both have played reserve grade. BOTH are excellent prospects. I'm not sure if Robertson is #1 or #6 but he's definitely one for the future and Farrimond is even now being spoken very highly of and not just by Wigan.

Do you think Robertson is ready for first team rugby?

12 July is the next big date in the calendar, whoever wins will be red hot favourites to lift the LLS.

I think that Saints need to let the lad dip his toe in the water, the London fixture is an ideal opportunity.

We need to get Jack tied down on a Nsembe type deal. It looks like we could have unearthed two generational talents.

I agree, maybe London or they've also got Cas at home twice before the end of the season.

I think Wigan will be heavy favourites to finish top, especially with the amount of home games they have left. We still have to play them twice plus Warrington twice and Leigh away.

Moreover for the 12th July game, we will still be missing Walmsley, Batchelor, Whitley and Wingfield who would all get into our first choice 17.

I'm presuming that Lomax and Knowles will be back by then.

EDIT- That fixture is causing all sorts of issues. Its my youngest lads leaving party from primary school. Bearing in mind we live in Wigan and his school is in Wigan, the majority of Dads are Wigan fans and mostly ST holders for the ones who like RL. Some have said they are not missing the game so are going and dealing with their wives at a later date



I can't miss his leaving do so my mate is taking my eldest lad for me. The party was organised a long time ago so its just unlucky that its fallen on this fixture.

All fair points. I'd add though that whilst we've got loads of home games left, we tend to be playing better teams in those games than we have at the start of the year.

We have yourselves twice, Catalans away, we have still to play Wire who will be a different proposition to either of the games in the last fortnight. We haven't played Leeds yet, etc.

I'd say if we win on the 12th then we're well and truly in the driving seat for top spot, but should we not then I'd say it's about 50/50.

Walmsley definitely but are you sure all 3 of the others are first 17? Bachelor would probably be (although he hasn't been playing well by all accounts) but then where would you play Whitley? Sironen definitely plays and with a full compliment of players available Mata'utia probably reverts back to 2nd row. Wingfield has Knowles or Bell at loose ahead of him and Walmsley, Paasi, Lees and probably Delaney at prop. Is this not right?

Whitley would definitely be in the 17 (I'd start him on the bench as Sironen and Matautia would be my starting back rowers) Batchelor to be in the 17 too with probably Bell and Mbye as the other two subs.

Yeah to be fair if everyone was fit then Wingfield wouldn't make the first choice 17.

NB- This actually gives me a bit more optimism because if we ever get a fully fit side this season then that's Delaney, Wingfield and Stephens not even making the 17 so more strength in depth than I remembered.

Interesting shout Stu. I'm not sure I'd ever advocate 2 back rowers on the bench myself. I don't think the strength of your full squad has ever been in doubt. I think the doubts are more geared towards you ever getting close to it as there are a number who are towards the back end of their careers and aren't showing any robustness to counter it. There's a possibility that it could fall well for you with so many coming back at the tail end of the season though, provided they come back and get up to speed quickly. Paasi has done well so far given his long lay off but I'm not sure Walmsley, for example, transitions from injury quite so seamlessly. Could be an interesting end to the season this year I feel.

They are interchageable though. Whitley or Batchelor coming on would mean Matuatia may play at prop. Knowles has moved to prop this season when Bell has come on occasionally.

The back end of the season relies on some luck too. If say Wigan lost French and Smith at the same time then that's a massive blow regardless of how well the forwards are playing. Conversely if we lose Welsby I dread to think where we would be with how he has been playing lately, he's been looking like the Welsby of old, scoring and assisting lots again.

I agree about Walmsley, I actually think the new contract we've given him may come back to bite us, he's picking up inuries quite regularly now. Paasi is a huge bonus and the continued development of Delaney. Stephens has been the surprise and may feature more than we first envisaged. Took it to Catlans and showed some great feet for a couple of breaks.

Just my opinion of course but I'm not a big fan of that sort of rotation. It's good to have as an option in case of in game injuries etc. but I don't think it's ideal as a first port of call. Having only one genuine prop and then rotating back rowers to make up the shortfall doesn't strike me as a title winning option. As I say, just my opinion though.

Injuries will undoubtedly play a part which is why I think your returnees only coming back at the business end could count in your favour. They can't get injured from the stands. That said, it equally could count against you in that there's an extra burden on the senior players still there and, of course, players coming back could be offset by different ones getting injured. I genuinely think this is where our advantage lies this season. We've been able to rest and rotate our pack without too much drop off. I know that's no guarantee in itself, but it's a good place to be.

There's no doubt that Wigan are now very strong in the forwards, an area where they had been powder puff for some time. The fact that Walters (someone who I would've loved us to sign) couldn't make the 17 for the Final is indicative of this. They have size, athelticism and some aggression now in defence. Havard, O Neill and Nsemba all still very young too.

Interesting question Stu, following the England Academy squad announcement. Both Wigan and Saints have 5 each. Much is being made of the 'golden generation' at Saints. Is Wigan's actually as strong? I understand Stephens, Vaughn and Sambou aren't included but Eckersley, Douglas and Nsemba more than counter that. What's your take?

I expected Wigan to have a decent number of selections as their Academy has always been strong. I don't know much about them apart from obviously Farrimond and Keith Mason's lad. I do believe though that Nathan Lowe is very highly rated within the club- a classy centre who needs to work on his defence but is a good player.

I expected Dagnall, Whitby and Robertson from Saints but I don't know as much about the other two. It seems like Davies has had a good season and from the tries I see each week, he looks a decent back rower.