rlreardon is on his way to france.rl

Im fairly certain Goulding is under contract, think he signed a new one just last year when he was on form and playing. I think people mention him as an option as he's clearly someone who is good enough for first team rugby but isn't first choice at Wigan and someone might be able to tempt him away.

I agree that if Wigan were to make him available we should go for him, but I don't think there is much mileage in it.

#edit# rlWigan contract extensionsrl

Just found it, yes he is under contract, BBC article from Feb 2011;

[i"England winger Darrell Goulding, 22, and second rower Harrison Hansen, 25, have penned three-year deals. "[/i

Thanks for the update, damn. Maybe we can offer a transfer fee if its reasonable?

A thought about Crusaders, does anyone know if the youngster Elliot Kear has signed for anyone? i believe he is highly rated by some on here although i've not seen much of him myself..

Signing for Wigan once Wane and Harris are announced.

Especially if the oppo played a theiving gypsy on the wing.

I'm sure he would. Just as sure as I am that he'd let in just as many by misreading his defensive duties. His ability to put the ball down isn't in question, it's just those annoying 'other bits' to the game which he struggles with. His potential, as a kid, was enormous and he was awesome at academy level but it never translated into SL I'm sad to say.

That's just the way it is with young players, no matter how much skill they have, some burst onto the scene like Sam Burgess whilst others take a bit longer to break through a la Jamie Peacock, and unfortunately, some fizzle out and don't make the grade at the top level at all. If only we knew from the start which was going to be which................

We'd be able to make sure we got our money's worth from Huddersfield?

So our 1st team squad of 25 for 2012 is shaping up something like this then I reckon;

starting 13 with backups/depth. Taken from the current squad and juniors who have played 1st team (however briefly) Its pretty clear we need more adding to the props, and another winger would not go amiss, but does anyone see anywhere else that needs attention? do we think finnigan and/or crookes will stay?

I'd say we look stonger than last year if we could bring in a prop with real impact. But we need some luck with injuries for once. and for some real progress from last year from some of the squad.

FB..Kearney......Platt
W...Kear..........
C...Purtell.........Sykes
C...Lulia............Walker
W...Ainscough...
S0..Sammut......Briggs
SH..Gale..........Jeffries
P...Scruton....Burgess
H...L'Estrange....Diskin
P...Kopczak......Hargreaves
SR..Whitehead....Olibison....Donaldson
SR..Elima...........Sibbit
LF..Langley........Addy

Outside the 25 but likely to get some game time anyway: O'Brian, Bateman, Southenwood, Crossley, Crookes, Finnigan.

When you add that 4 of the "backups" will be on the bench then yes there are still gaps. The way you've laid that out makes the need for a prop pretty obvious. I can't imagine we aren't looking to bring someone in.

Indeed, I did it originally in a 1-17 format, with Hargreaves and Burgess on the bench, which only leaves Crossley as reconised depth at prop, (and he still has to have the opportunity to prove he can step up IMO), which really does highlight the need for a new prop.

I'm not convinced by moving langley to prop either, I'd rather keep him in the backrow and only use him as a prop due to injuries if we need to. I wouldn't go into the season with him listed as a prop, and I would have 6 props in and about the first team, even if 1 or 2 of the six where still youngsters like Crossley and Burgess.

Agreed, 6 props needed for cover, if Langley is up to 80 minutes then he should do so in his natural position, so Crossley or equivalent plus another more experienced prop, but you can never tell with Mick and his love of flexible players.

how did crossley get on when he went on loan?

....

...and might even win a stage or two now he's not in a team built around Cav'.