That signing of Irish international hooker Michael McIlorum, along with PNG international and captain David Mead being signed to play full back, gives the Catalans a good chance of a top 4 finish.

A top four finish only if you flip the league upside down.

It had been rumoured for a while tbf (the other one was that he was going to Canberra to fill in for the injured Hodgson). Its still an odd one though and one that I wasnt going to believe until it happened. Should prove a good signing for the Dragons. Terrible business for Wigan unless they have a top replacement ready to step in. He's not everyone's cup of tea for obvious reasons, but he's a fine hooker.

Maybe.

Leuluai certainly should offer more at hooker than he has in the halves, but I think he's finished personally.

Gelling's gone back to New Zealand. I liked watching him play, but was glad he didn't play for my side the amount of mistakes he made.

Catalans now have two quality hookers -- Michael McIlorum and Paul Aiton --- to rotate in each game. Alrix da Costa is a standby back-up, who will learn from watching the other two. This, after the signing of the star speedster David Mead to play full back, creates the balance in Catalans roster which will give them a great chance of being in the top four.

Wattsy gave him his comeuppance before bailing out to foreign shores.

I am delighted but I wouldn't go that far!

I am delighted but I wouldn't go that far!

great player, great signing for Catalans.

Sad to see McIlorum move on but it seems as though he’s had to be sacrificed to make cap space after the expected departure of Frank Paul ‘drop the ball’ Nuuausala didn’t materialise.

It’s certainly not left us short of numbers though. It’s expected we’ll run with Escare and Tomkins at 1 and 6 (in either order), Williams at 7 with Powell and Leuluai sharing the hooking role. We’ve also got Jake Shorrocks back from a bad injury to cover the halves and Josh Ganson (Steve’s son) is very highly thought of at hooker.

Gelling leave creates more issues. We look short at centre in terms of depth and we’ll miss his entertainment value.

Agree with this post, Gelling is a bigger loss IMO, as an opposition fan i'd rather Gelling be missing that Micky Mc, although he is tough player, he doesn't offer the attacking threat of other top hookers in SL. Your spine looks a lot stronger in the attacking sense, but maybe weaker defensively.Looking at Wigan last year, attacking was the problem though so this may be a risk worth taking.

Gelling has been a bit off form, but still a threat and and better than his replacement.

I wonder if Wigan will look to develop one of the wingers into a centre, you have 4 good wingers and 3 of them are certainly too good not to be playing in the 13.