Get back under your bridge...

Shall we start calling Catalans "Wigan in exile?"

David Furner

Given that IL said SW wants to try himself on a different stage I'm not expecting him to stay in SL personally. I was unaware of the Scots RU rumour but that does seem to fit the bill IMO.

Now now, just because your season's over

Hopefully whoever comes in as replacement will have the skills to maintain the squads unity and spirit, keep the youth system production line functioning smoothly and also have the man-management skills to be able keep Hardaker on the straight and narrow.

I'm asking for minor miracles obviously, but in IL and KR we trust!

There are enough exiles around SL for us to change the names of a few teams. We can play against Wigalan, Wignes and Wigginton.

I think we're going to have a very motivated squad for the rest of the season.

Throw away line in the guardian last week about an England RU halfback returning to the game of his roots in 2019 and it would make back page news.

Well I never saw that coming.

With the improved performances this year and the side obviously going to be in contention (unless the wheels come off big time) at the end of the season I was resigned to Wane being here another year even if we don't win anything.

I'd love to know what has motivated him to leave.

That said I think he has made smart move. If he waited until things didn't go well and he got sacked I think he was in danger of being viewed as a one club man and that would not make him an attractive proposition to another top club. He could have gone the same way as his mate Cunningham or worse like G West and have been out of the game completely.

With rumours of Bateman and Sutton off, with Lockers playing less and less, Tommy another year older and Sam T gone maybe despite Hardaker signing he thinks next year will be a lot tougher and if he goes this year he can leave on a high. I can't say I'd fault his logic if so. Hardaker could screw up before he even gets here going of past records and he's not Sam T in terms of his RL brain anyway. Bateman and Sutton would be a loss. So if Wane knows what next years side will be and he's not happy with it better leave now than later.

Where he ends up will be interesting. If he's off to the NRL then he's made the absolute maximum he can out of being Wigan coach in terms of his coaching credentials. I don't think it will take long for them to find him out as one dimensional though. It can win stuff here but I doubt it will work in the NRL. If he goes to Les Cats he will improve them no doubt, making them harder to beat but ultimately I think you will just see Wigan MkII in terms of style of play and I don't think that will keep him in the job long term. The one thing he will have there if he does go to them is no shortage of funds. I doubt they would have not taken the option up on Sam T so he may end up with better players to work with than IL will provide.

Strange as though it may seem given my well known views on Wane he's gone up in my estimation by resigning! He's not sat about clinging onto the Wigan job for dear life but has backed himself to success elsewhere. It may have been made easier if he knows what next years squad is like and he isn't happy but even if so, he's not sat about waiting for the wheels to come off.

The focus now switched to IL and who he appoints. It also brings into focus the recruitment and squad for next year. The new coach could well inherit an inferior team so if other players do leave besides Sam T it's up to IL and Rad's to make sure that doesn't happen or any new coach's honeymoon period won't last long and Wane's decision to leave will have been proved smart.

Paul Deacon

Excellent shout, for me.

Have heard this from someone within the game

Edwards plus NRL current assistant coach.

When I visited this forum and saw the heading for this thread I immediately assumed that he had left with immediate effect thus indicating a disagreement over something or other. Reading through the comments it slowly became apparent that he was in fact staying until the end of the season. Who knows the reason for his departure? He could, as seems quite likely, have been tempted away by promise of a larger pay cheque. Let us hope that the playing staff are motivated to see that he leaves us in a blaze of glory.

I think one or two posters are overlooking this.

Whatever it is, it can't be too acrimonious, as neither SW or IL seem in rush for him to leave.

It feels increasingly to me as if this is part of a larger plan. SW's been at the club a long time. Surely he'd look to move on at some point?

Deacon didn't spring to mind initially but I like it. Good shout.

Absolutely he would. And Catalans fits the bill for his “new challenge”. Turning a relegation candidate into challengers/winners? That would be quite an achievement.

The timing is right for both parties I feel.

Gutted. Just seen the announcement via my Twitter feed.

Didn't make the Magic Weekend this time, so watched the Warrington game on tv. I could tell there was something 'not right' at the final hooter. He didn't seem as happy as he should have been and had a sort of detached look about him.

Plenty of mileage in this one yet. All seems a bit wishy washy at the moment. I heard the Scotland rumours a few weeks ago. As we now know, Sam's off to the south of France, I'm sure Shaun will have sat down enough times with Sutton and Bateman to know what's going to happen there, Lockers can't be far off retirement now, is IL as commited as he has been in the past (not suggesting he isn't, by the way) etc. etc. Sometimes, professional sportsmen can gauge the feeling around a club and know when the time is right to move on. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, there is plenty of silverware to play for this season before we wish Shaun well for whatever avenue he goes down. Let's hope he leaves on a real high.

Edwards with Tony Smith.

Steve Kearney with Neil Jukes as his number 2.

My word, there are some bizarre suggestions on here.

Casper or Big Nose?

How about SOL as player coach with Deacon?

Hope you don't mind me commenting but that is an excellent post. Describes Wanes tenure and the parameters he had to work within precisely.

Edwards now being pushed by pundits for the England RU defence coach job. Interesting that he was interviewed for the Quins head coach job. Shows he wants a new job, but also suggests that the Wigan job is not 'in the bag' as has been intimated by a few. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44194954

Edwards now being pushed by pundits for the England RU defence coach job. Interesting that he was interviewed for the Quins head coach job. Shows he wants a new job, but also suggests that the Wigan job is not 'in the bag' as has been intimated by a few. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44194954