Given this and rumours of wanting to bring a hooker in, I’ll be surprised if Johnson is still here next year

If we sign another hooker I think he’ll go yes.

Or, with another off-season he might be starting hooker with the others coming through.

I'm in no way in the know, however I am on nodding acquaintance with somebody who knows Corey's family. I was told when we were in for Levi that Corey would ask for a release if it came to pass. I imagine the same would apply if Powell were to be signed.

Yes if he was blocked for 2 years by a senior I think he’d go - I’m not sure whether Powell is worth losing younger lads over - Levi fair enough.

If we sign Smith then you’d imagine Johnson would be above in the pecking order so he would stay.

If we sign Sam Powell, for me that will be a crystal clear message of our ambitions.
Utter mediocrity.

Wigan have done superb business so far ahead of next season.
This would be more excellent business by them.

Wigan have recruited well and early, but I still think Leeming will be found out there. He's a good pack up and runner, but his defence is too soft, and I don't think Wigan will like that.

Keighran and Walters are obviously good signings.

Powell would be ok, but entirely depends on who we bring in at 7. Smith likes his 9s to be distributors and good defenders, which is where Powells strengths are. He also comes from a winning environment, and has plenty of experience to add to O'connor.

Wigan's win in the academy semi final against Warrington has been reveresed due to Wigan making 12 subs instead of 8. Warrington will now play Saints in the GF

What, no Yorkshire team?
What a surprise....

We did win it last year you know?

https://www.therhinos.co.uk/article/195 ... -for-2024- Another one for our esteemed watchers out there to let us know of any names to look out for?

https://www.therhinos.co.uk/article/195 ... -for-2024- Another one for our esteemed watchers out there to let us know of any names to look out for?

Mackenzie Turner, Bailey Aldridge, Kai Morgan, Will Shaw, Tobias Gibson, Zach Mcswiney, Tom Stephens, Blake Morgan, Jack Johnson, Mark Nelson, Riley Sunderland, Neil Tchamambe all on the out list for the reserves / academy

I’m not super surprised at any of these to be honest. I think the club has high hopes of a couple of our other wingers and various others such as Corbett.

is the academy starting to produce again? I know others watch games regularly

Really hard to say Tad: we went through a period of forwards graduating (Smith, Oledski, Holroyd, Walters, Gannon, O’Connor) who are all at first grade level. Corey Johnson 50/50 too.

Newman has come through but injury prone. Other than that nobody has stuck in the back line for a very long time.

I think that might change and we have a raft of backs coming through. Edgell and Lumb already on the fringe, Simpson could make the grade if recovered, then Webster, Frater, Smith, Qareqare, the McCormack brothers are all good prospects. Sinfield there or thereabouts too or course.

let's hope then.
cheers jim