he does have an early plea available - his last caution was 08-02-13 dangerous lift v Warrington

Yes Smith has an EGP, and seeing as the WCC game against the Broncos is our game after next I think we can assume he will use it.

Hampshire at 6 - Williams at 7 would be ideal as they know each others game inside out, but our forwards would have to be outstanding to give them room to play

Surprised at the Ah Van ban. Would have thought SOS as he missed the majority of the game, but not read the report.

Wigan haven't been playing badly.
Last season's Final Eliminator v Warrington was one of the best games seen all season.
Wigan edged it but Wire were superb too.
As for the GF, once down to 12 I thought the team played well, not well enough but certainly didn't play poorly.
They were going ok when 10-0 up, An Van goes and Wigan go 16-0 up. Then they stop playing and start the daft stuff. Should have re-gathered themselves after half time but maybe seeing Charnley in a bad state got them riled.

As for how do we see this season, in truth not sure. Wire look very strong with a large and quality squad, Saints likewise but not much cover in props after Amor, Walmsley & Masoe.
Wigan need to get McIlorum back along with Mossop, Charnley should be back soon if not this week. Sarginson a few weeks away, Flower and Thornley not due back until Aprl/May time. A full Wigan squad from then on will compete for all three trophies I'm sure.
I'd be surprised if those three trophies went elsewhere but Wigan, Wire & Saints.

I think Grand Final-winning props Greg Richards and Luke Thompson should prove to be ample cover. As well as young Savelio who impresses every time he plays and LMS who can fill in there when required, despite being better out wide at 2nd row.

Wane has showed what class he has as of late. Accusing Widnes of cheating in the Daily Mirror. Considering how poor some of the refereeing was against us during the game you'd think he'd put the criticism in the direction it was actually warranted. His players.

We were down to 12 unfairly, we still didn't get the rub of the green (being punished for mild holding down and watching Wigan get nothing for the exact same thing. Seeing a yellow card given to a player who kicked out at someone off the ball etc etc) and he is accusing the 12 men of cheating to get what we did just because in his eyes Mellor "milked" some off the ball shots. No. Show some ing class Wane. Betts could have complained after the match about the way the game went, but he didn't. Whose fault is it if champions elect cannot beat 12 men who have been fancied for a relegation battle?

Very poor from Wane. Especially given the amount of penalties that Sam Tomkins "milked" from referees under Wane's stewardship. Unfortunately its just more evidence that he can't control himself and that feeds through into his team.

It says the offence he was charged with is a 1-2 ban, and he was eligible and took EGP so 1. Ironically he pleaded guilty, so at least he accepts that which too many on here refuse to. But what does he know, he was only the guy wot dun it

Unfairly? Hit from behind with a clenched fist is fair? The lack of argument from the Widnes players proved just how fair it was. But nice try Spudgun.

On a lighter note , tonight Wigan were relegated





























On Granada Reports

They had a ' piece ' on Leigh and Fui Fui , and then explained the new structure , they had a SL table in alphabetical order obviously with Wigan at the bottom , and then a Championship table also in alphabetical order except Leigh at the top , they stated after 23 matches the bottom of SL split and joined the top of the Championship , showing a ' middle 8 ' with Wigan in 4 th and Leigh 5 th , then announced the ' million pound game ' and reversed Leigh and Wigan , leaving the pies ' relegated '

Brilliant

who the are you?