Where did you hear this? They are one of the most well supported clubs in the league, have have just build a new stand and undoubtedly spend to the cap limit judging by their squad. I would be very surprised if they are struggling to be honest.

I have been saying for a while now that I believe the next expansion should be in the south of France, all the signs are pointing to it. Catalans should be the blueprint for it, and the attendance for the France-England game clearly shows that their is a market for it. A long term plan should be put in place in order to eventually create a French Super League.

Sadly the RFL seem far too inept to bring that to reality, despite how much it would improve the international game.

There are many reasons why our international game isn't as widely popular as RU, not least because of the amount of countries that compete and do so on a similar, or should I say a more competitive level, than play international RL.

Take the recent RU world cup for example, there were several teams very capable of reaching and/or winning the final with several others offering challenging games in the earlier rounds. The home nations + france and italy compete annually in a very competitive six nations tournament and then there are the various friendlies and tours played each season. We get a mid-season friendly and either the four nations or the world cup at the end of the season, both of which ourselves, the Kiwis and Australians don't even need to go through qualification for.

In addition is the fact that we have had to switch from supporting Great Britain (& Ireland) then England, and back, and then back again from tournament to tournament.

Then you have the fact that the game has for all intents and purposes been taken over by Sky and has therefore fell largely off the radar for casual terrestrial viewers, even with the odd international game being covered by the BBC and its mediocre coverage of the club game.

The club over country mentality is a sad but unsurprising consequence, not aided by the poor performances of the national teams that had reached a point where many fans have expected to be beaten by both Aus and NZ.

I think this is a big issue. I read somewhere yesterday that 1.2 million watched the England -v- Australia game on the BBC; 620,000 watched the England -v- NZ game the following week. What a lot of viewers were lost by the game showing on Sky.

But, and I know it's a great big massive but, if we beat the Aussies on Saturday then it may be that the BBC will be more interested in showing our games in the future and will compete more enthusiastically for the rights to do so?

Seems I was right about the real reasons for the cap increase.

rlWigan sign NRL player sacked for defecating in hotelrl

Give over, they'll be paying that guy in washers.

Well, I guess he's about the level of class for Wigan anyway!

No surprise that they are recruiting an antipodean. For all that Rogues boasts about their u20s team winning grand finals, they clearly can't produce a centre.

SP, he's easier to read than a Janet & John book.

I did indeed, but the words were reliable and as cover. I don't think he is good enough as a centre and neither is Marsh although I believe both will be given an opportunity (probably their last) this coming season.
Loughlin, Hunte and Connolly were almost twenty years ago, and in reality only Connolly was top drawer.

In the future I do like the looks of Rhys Evans and Callum Watkins. There's also a very good young prospect at Saints named Mark Percival, but that's a long way away. As I said it's been a problem position in the game for a while. Like you I would Charnley a run there at Wigan (I believe he has just signed a new extended/better deal) which would allow us to give Russell and King a game or two.

Anyway I'll be there on Saturday cheering whoever has the England shirt on.

Loughlin's pomp was before my time as a speccy, but I'm led to belive he was the best centre in britain and was subject to numerous bids to sign him by Wigan.
[sizeIt was tongue in cheek when I mentioned them, given how long ago it was.[/size

Some one on here updated us about some start performances by Percevil last season.

Hopefully, this season, Wheeler will get a decent run of it.
Are there still rumours of him moving to Wigan?

Here's what I was told. Wigan tried to sign Wheeler in 2009, ready for the 2010 season. They had offered Carmont a one year deal. Saints offered Carmont a two year deal, which Wigan subsequently matched and he stayed at Wigan. Wheeler also got a very increase on his Saints salary and stayed there.

I haven't heard anything about Wheeler coming to Wigan this off season apart from the message board rumours.

Whilst we're talking about young players to keep a look out for.
George Williams and Ryan Hampshire look to be a potential great half back pairing at Wigan. Both were in the undefeated U16 Wigan side this year and starred in the thrashing of France by England at Odsal.

Stevie Ward at Leeds a 17 year old with loads of ability, can play 6 or 13, and his second row partner Jordan Baldinson.

Savellio and Percival at Saints look outstanding prospects as does Mike Learmonth at Warrington(they stole him from Leeds )

So this is how we spend our money. Great news. What say you Saddo? www.wiganwarriors.com/WNewsList. ... pe=Archive www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

So this is how we spend our money. Great news. What say you Saddo? www.wiganwarriors.com/WNewsList. ... pe=Archive www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

I can't imagine Wheeler leaving saints, not with the way they've supported him. He obvioulsy has their faith and should hopefully be determined to pay them back.

Regarding our youngsters, from the slightly older lads, I'm hoping to see a bit of Forster this season, who aparently looked good on his debut against quins, and I wonder whether Greenwood will manage a debut? He's talked up by few who've seen him and certianly has a much more impressive physical appearence than some of our recent young backrows.