I don't think Smith and Gaskell could play in the same side so we'd need to choose one or the other for next season - Smith is the better player now but Gaskell has more potential upside. On balance I'd risk keeping Gaskell and letting the pies have Smith.

...and I still say it's a depressing sign of the times that a club like Wigan has to rely on so ordinary a player as Smith as their main playmaker for the next few years...

I really don't see what all the fuss is about Matty Smith. He's no better than the player he was when we released him. At the moment he is in demand because he's cheapish, youngish, British and availableish and there's a real shortage of good halfbacks. This combination of circumstances seems to be making him hugely in demand, and he'll probably ending up signing a deal way above what he's worth and the fans of the club he signs for will be underwhelmed.

I gotta agree with this. Solid player, but a lack of depth in the talent pool is leading to him being elevated.

...and I still say it's a depressing sign of the times that a club like Wigan has to rely on so ordinary a player as Smith as their main playmaker for the next few years...'"

He is Mr Joe Average for me. I think it says more about the dearth of quality halves in the competition that Wigan ( and indeed us )are prepared to sign him on a big wedge.

If he signs for Wigan he will be a stop-gap until the emergence of George Williams.

Smith is a step backwards for us.

Agreed.

Told weeks ago by a very close member of his family that he has signed a 3 year deal with Wigan. : :

Matty Smith by himself is, as described, kind of a Mr Average, but he does play a vital role in what is a pretty creative triangle of himself, Holdsworth and Pattern who create some very good rugby.
I think he'll go ok for Wigan. They're well drilled in the backs and he'll slot in ok, but they'll need to make sure whoever is coming in at #6 has the edge that a top club wants somewhere in their half backs.

I think they will retain Finch. He's not received any offers from the NRL despite advertising his availability and is now faced with retirement or Super League.

Can't see how Smith and Finch would play in the same side... I think it's likeliest that Finch would end up at Hull or similar.