I think Field will replace French at 1.

I expect Hastings to go also with him also being replaced with a signing more than likely from the NRL.

Lussick would be an interesting one and if we brought him in then Powell could play the Tommy role as hooker/half.

If some people get their wish (I would 100% take him but doubt it will happen) and we end up with Watson replacing Lam then that may perhaps persuade Hastings to stay and equally someone like Lussick to sign. I'm a fan of Sam Powell though so not sure where that leaves him.

We are desperate for a centre if Gildart leaves, and a quality one at that.
We also need a bully of a frontrower in the Liam Watts mould unless Burgess and Clark find some form/fitness.
Back row I think we're good.
Think we will sign a winger unless we choose to go with Bibby.

I expect the following to leave-

French, J Burgess, Hastings, Jake Shorrocks, Lockers, Flower, Wells, Rushton.

And incomings either confirmed or as close to-

Bateman, Field.

That leaves us needing a halfback and a winger IMO. I’d say another prop but I think Singleton is in to replace Flower and they won’t bring another prop in now until Clubb is off the books and once George Burgess follows. In an ideal world George Burgess gets fit and comes good and then we’re sorted. If Tommy plays on, I see no need for Lussick for 2021 but if he retires than he’d be a good addition.

Funny one with wingers, because we won't need a starter once Marshall is back. Maybe a loan opportunity? I'm not convinced by Hanley or Halsall.

I said the other day it wouldn’t be an absolute priority if there’s no money available. It would be nice to get one in but if we have to go with Bibby starting and Hanley/Halsall backing up then so be it. There is that much depth in the NRL though that I’m sure they could find one who wouldn’t be looking for a fortune. The guy at the Roosters (Ikavalu) who jumped in front of Ryan Hall in the pecking order after scoring 5 try’s is off contract for example. He’s only ever been back up in his career by the looks of things and whilst I’m not necessarily saying to sign him, it shows what depth there is when a guy can come in and score 5 try’s and play well enough to keep Ryan Hall out the side. Ryan Hall himself is available and as much as his best days are behind him, if he was cheap enough, I’d be happy to offer him a short term deal.

Bibby just isnt upto it

I think it's more the position the player would be in that would be the sticking point. You need someone willing to play for a reserve winger salary who is willing to sign for us knowing we already have Manfredi and Marshall. That's got to be either a youngster trying to prove himself or someone with baggage IMO. I'm not familiar with the player you mentioned but is he going to fly round the world for SL reserve winger wages knowing he's got two very good wingers ahead of him? That's why I'm thinking a loanee knowing he'll be first choice for months.

might be in front of Dom as he looks like hes lost bags of pace

Hanley has got pace and is pretty good under the high ball usually. I would not be surprised to see him given a run on the wing.

Very good but we're already paying Manfredi whatever a first choice winger earns, so a new player still comes in on reserve winger's salary and still has to get in ahead of two established starters. It's not like Manfredi is a crocked liability out there who any old winger would just know he would leapfrog.

A winger is a must for next season with Burgess going, Manfredi slowing down after a bad injury and not forgetting Marshall has to overcome his injury too - wouldn’t be a good idea going into next year with just Marshall and Manfredi as recognised wingers

Any winger who comes in has about 6 months of playing time to impress by the looks of things. If I were a 4th/5th choice winger at an NRL club then I’d certainly take that punt and then back myself to impress and try and hold the position. One thing any proposed signing could take in to consideration is the injury record of Manfredi and even Marshall himself. He’s had a few knee problems even before this major setback. If you can go from 4th/5th choice at an NRL club on similar money to what you could get for being a starting winger here for 6 months and 3rd choice at worst after that, I think it’s a no brainer really.

Is Lussick actually a rumour? Or just mentioned as he’s leaving Salford?

Yeah true. It's annoying how it works out isn't it? Imagine if Tom Davies was a bit younger and was just coming through now.

Hugely annoying to find ourselves in this position now just 12 months after having four good options. That was clearly too many but even then, they were never all fit at the same time and I think ideally you want three to choose from but for those three to have good injury records. We’ll need to be careful at the start of next year that we don’t have a real lack of pace in the backs. To lose French and Burgess takes two of our three quickest players out of the squad and the other (Marshall) is injured. If we’ve signed Field that adds some back in but you’ve not got much else in that department between Manfredi, Hardaker, Hankinson, Bibby etc and even more so if Gildart goes.

There was a piece from Furner at the raiders suggesting Harry Rushton might not be going to Australia after all due to Covid restrictions on travel.

If there is no reserve league and the game in general does not return to normal next season and with the number of players leaving the Under 18 academies because of being too old, I think you will find that there will be more players than usual leaving not only Wigan, but also all other clubs.

Bargain buys galore for the clubs outside the Super League providing of course, they survive financially.

Interesting. I’m not sure how that works and if there are exemptions in certain situations but if not then I guess the same may apply for Gildart.


**edit** just read a bit more on it and it sounds like it could be an issue for Rushton but not for Gildart (if he is going over) as it seems to be they’ll limit arrivals in to the country for any players going in to reserve grades but not first team players.

Rushton is going to be in the Canberra top 30 man squad though

According to The League Express last Monday there will be no dual registration next season. That means along with no reserve league even less opportunities for younger players. Players will have to go out on loan in one month blocks or permanent season long loans.

There was an even younger player due to go out to Aus this year but an injury and then Covid put a stop to it.

Lachlan Lam is off contract at the Roosters.

if we lose Hastings does anyone think we will make a move for him

Spill the beans Brian.

Let's start a conspiracy theory, coronavirus started in Wigan not Wuhan so that we could retain players. Saints fans will definitely believe this as they think Gelling deliberately headed the ball forward to Charnley in the cup-tie.

Mmm three Lams at Wigan...............

Who knows, all I know is that from the comments I read from Don Furner, he didn’t sound too confident they’d get him over. These things seem to have a way of being worked out so we’ll have to wait and see.