I already have said wait and see

When I've seen Field play I will admit that he is rapid and if he gets into open field then he's going to score more often than not
The question is where will Wigan play him?

He has played at full back, winger and also in the halves and Wigan seem to be very well stocked already for players in those positions

FB: French, Hardaker
Wing: Marshall, Manfredi, Bibby
Halves: Leuluai, Hastings, Smith

Field has some job on his hands just getting into the starting side and especially when everyone is fit and the big games come around.

Think he will play half back with Hastings , Leuluai will probably share hooking roles , but Wigan have no doubt got a great Team and are far and away in a better situation than us at the moment .I think they may well be stronger than Saints this time around .

Agree, think he will play half back with Hastings.

On Wigan generally I think they look good but I wouldn’t get carried away, on squad numbers and general feeling the starting 17 if all fit is below, compared to our starting 17 if all fit.

1 French 1. Walker
2. Manfredi. 2. T Briscoe
3. Hardaker 3. Koni
4. Gildart 4. Newman
5. Marshall 5. Handley
6. Field 6. Lui
7. Hastings 7. Gale
8. G Burgess (if fit). 8. Mik
9. Powell. 9. Leeming
10. Bullock. 10. Tetevano
11. Isa 11. Mellor
12. Farrell 12. Martin
13. Bateman 13. Prior

14. Leuluai 14. Dwyer
15. Smithies 15. C Smith
16. Singleton 16. Holroyd
17. Harvard 17. Thompson/king


On the above I would pick the best 17 as

1. French.
2. Manfredi
3. Koni
4. Newman
5. Handley
6. Hastings
7. Gale
8. Mik
9. Powell
10. Tetevano
11. Martin
12. Farrell
13 Bateman

14. Leuluai/ leeming
15. Prior/Smithies
16. G Burgess if fit
17. Holroyd/bullock/Harvard

I honestly think the bench spots aren’t clear cut.

The area they have a big advantage in is the depth, in particular in the forwards. Key is they bring the youth in and play them and if they are good enough then they fill the squad out well. Our team isn’t miles away, sure others may think I am being generous to Leeds in the above team but I honestly think we have some top quality players. Like every year depends who stays fit and can put the best team out week after week, in particular in key positions.

Comparing the two squads demonstrates how far behind the Rhinos are. That Wigan squad will wipe the floor with Leeds.

Disagree with that. Wigan & Saints are rightful favourites but I expect us to compete hard with them, and at least target home wins in the league. The challenge cup semi was not a fluke, it was a pretty complete performance against a good Wigan side. They are not a million miles ahead.

If you expect us to be up near Wigan and Saints you will be dissapointed , we are miles off . The conditions suited us in the Semi and you will not get those week in week out . We are a fair bit off Wire as well yet . We could finish anywhere from 4th to 10th as the rest of the comp is very competative .

Correct . The poster who says people may think he is being generous to Leeds is being far more than that

Have a look outside the window. This is England, it rains about half the time. Neither Wigan nor Saints are the all conquering crack squads some make them out to be. Better than the rest yes, but I think this is the year where we start to close the gap, and that means pushing them hard in league fixtures for the first time in a while. As for Warrington, not quite sure why some think they will be great. Their Marquee half back, Widdop, doesn't want to be here and will almost certainly head home at some point during the season. It won't be easy for them. I think we are building towards something and expect us to improve again this year.

How many games last season did we play in those conditions ?

I agree we are building towards something but we are no where near the level we need to be yet to chalenge the top 2 or Warrington

Think you are not far off with this bud. People seem to have built Wigan and Saints up to be world beaters. I sincerely hope the coaches and players are more of our mindset than some on here!

Regarding the team match up, Manfredi doesn't get in over Briscoe. Wigan fans are saying that sadly the injuries have robbed him. No way Newman gets in over Gildart though.....
Also Bateman will play SR and not loose. Having G. Burgess on the bench could be phantasy land as he in real bother with the hip. I hope he goes get though it, but from whar Wigan fans are saying the club is really worried....

Well said. I completely agree....

How many times did we play in the rain last year? I haven't reached those levels of lockdown boredom, but I'd wager a fair few. Bottom line is big games in England are often played in the wet, so discounting wins or losses is pointless. Two teams, 80 minutes, best team wins. I'm hoping we're not as bad as your posts indicate you think we are, and I am really looking forward to seeing them have a go at the elite teams this year. I think we will have some success. That would be a real step forwards.

It would be a big help if King V is more Ava S than Wellington Albert. If we have plucked a decent player from obscurity it will strengthen that pack to the point where we will be competitive against anyone.

Wigan and Saints are good sides but no current SL side is all that.

Not only do we need big seasons from the new props but we'll also need mic and holroyd to play something like they did last season.