Not a shock , Wigoon dont want him but dont want him going to a team that might be a serious rival. Also top teams dont want a bad apple

Signing confirmed. I LOVE to say I told you so.......

www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

"Since I and Wigan are not prepared to allow Gareth to play for one of our major competitors, we have decided to retain his registration and to allow him to move on loan to Widnes, with whom we have an excellent relationship.

Hahaha by the way Wigan are going at the moment Widnes will be one of their major competitors

Is it me, or are Wigan looking a lot lot weaker than last season? Carmont, Finch, Lulu, Lima and Hock out and Green, Smith and Taylor in? They're going to do a Bradford in my opinion.

Nah, they have 4000 kids coming through who are better than EVERYONE AT Saints.

Wigan fans seem glad to be rid of him by all accounts. How times change!

As I said last week Salford didn't want him and

Whilst Wigan are looking weaker on paper compared to last season, I dont quite expect them to do a Bradford and go bust. They still have quality international players in Tomkins, Charnley, O'Loughlin, Mossop etc and think they will still be a top 4 team in 2013, although for first time in a while I would say our pack on paper looks far stronger than theirs at the moment

Wigan are looking in a bit of a mess now squad quality-wise all things considered and will only manage a top 4 finish next season because the rest of the league is so darned awful too, but they're still better off without the likes of him dragging them down. If (God forbid) I were a pie I'd be well pleased to see the back of the back-stabber if reports are to be believed of the way he deliberately forced Wigan into offloading him. I know there's no loyalty in professional team sport anymore etc. but after the way the club stood by him and supported him and revived his career this sucks on a whole different level.

They need a few more successful SL seasons before they can qualify to "doing a bradford".However if they have a succesful season after all the players who have left,then it could set them up for a few years .It will work wonders for team spirit

I suppose, I was referring to a Bradford-esque decline. Realistically their pack at it's strongest would be:
P. Lauaki
H. McIlorum
P. Mossop
SR. Hansen
SR. Farrell
LF. O'Loughlin
Then with the likes of Prescott, Tuson, Taylor, Dudson and Flower potentially coming off the bench. They look A LOT weaker for the losses of Lima and Hock, so much so that I wouldn't class that as the pack of a top 4 team. Ourselves, Warrington, Catalans, Hull, Huddersfield easily have better forwards. Hull KR's pack doesn't look too shabby this season either.

Wigan named seven props in their squad of 25. Five of them are 6'3" or above. Most around 17 stone. There are five players in the squad who are 6'5".
The props were very aggressive last season and only Lima has gone. Prescott is back, Mossop's in with Dudson, Taylor and Lauaki, Crosby too. I don't see any lack of aggression there.
Who will start at 12 don't know yet, maybe Farrell perhaps Hughes or Gelling. Gelling spent the off season training to play 2nd row.
Half backs are Green and Smith with Powell as reserve. Those half backs have pace and a kicking game which the team's half backs haven't had for some years.
As for the backs, four of the five are there.
Wigan have the best back three in SL with Sam Tomkins, Charnley and Richards. Carmont will be difficult to replace.

Wigan are being written down by almost everyone. Maybe they're right. A lot of experience has departed but some quite unknowns will be in the squad.
Saints should be better than last year, Wire's squad will need plenty rotation given the age of their most expeienced players.
I do think SL will have the same 1,2,3 as last year. It's in which order that's the interesting bit though.

Wigan are weaker no doubt, but they're squad is still going to be in the top 3. Such is the nature of SL at the minute.

While Wigan have got weaker, I think teams like Hull and Hull KR are stronger. Not saying they're top 3 teams, but the they're bridging the gap.