I think Oli Leyland needs to return to the Broncos on loan for the rest of the season to get his fitness and confidence back, but at the same time I don't think he figures much in Sam Burgess's plan for this season and probably next either.

Do you read these forums much, he is out for the season with an ACL injury.

I'm really hsppy with the Stone signing, adds much needed punch and skill we've badly missed, loan for this season to avoid the transfer fee with proberbly a 2-3 year deal from next year.
Russell might get a contract at Salford for next year, but he won't be here....i hope.
Whitehead i couldn't careless about him leaving, not gonna break in to the team any time soon, and the games i've seen him play he hasn't shown anything to suggest he ever will break in to the team barring injury.
Unless i'm forgetting someone, the only inbound for next year currently is Liam Byrne? Happy with him coming in, so currently our Props for next year are Vaughan (if he re-signs) Byrne, Harrison, Philbin, Yates, Wood, Crowther (kind of), Thomas, and the invisible prop Green, We're still missing an established prop there i feel.
Apart from a big prop like Mago, Satae, Ese'ese added to our team, On paper, we have a very good squad when everyone is fit. I feel once we get another dominant prop in and start winning the forward battle, i think we'll be hard to beat.

Salford reporting Stone deal is permanent, Wire reporting it is loan.  https://www.salfordreddevils.com/salford-confirm-double-loan-capture-from-warrington

Salford reporting Stone deal is permanent, Wire reporting it is loan.  https://www.salfordreddevils.com/salford-confirm-double-loan-capture-from-warrington

I wonder if the Warrington Guardian are going to ask whether anyone is being held to account for wasting at last one quota space this season and how our recruiting is going to improve as a result of reviewing our failures this year.  Won’t hold my breath.  

Yes, glad with that signing and as we lose another quota player we have the option to bring in another player still before the end of the year - which will be interesting.


In terms of props for next year, I agree we lack some impact, but in terms of prop numbers for next year we seem ok? Would another prop be one too many, if so, who do we lose to bring another in?

How many effective props do we have? 

That depends if you consider Crowther to be a prop or not?

To me he is a utility forward who can play prop if necessary but not a specialist prop.

I absolutely think we need a prop shake up, I'm just wondering whether adding another body would mean we were too heavy in one position - an important position admittedly - but we have to think about the balance of the squad and where we are spending the cap.  If we have Vaughan, Bryne, New Prop, Yates, Harrison, Philbin & Wood (agreed Crowther shouldn't be considered a prop option) then given Burgess doesn't seem to want 3 props on the bench, is it a good use of cap space to have Harrison, Phibin and Wood for example sitting in the stands. I appreciate you need cover for injury / suspension etc. Just feels to me one body too much when you consider you want to give time to the likes of Wood and Thomas to develop as well.


I would bring in another prop, but I would be looking at who from that list of 7 I would look to move on.

Its a difficult balancing act as Wigan are finding out. We have Thompson, Havard, Byrne, Hill, Dupree, Mago, Walters and Ellis (admittedly playing 13 now) all potential 1st choice props. It worked last season and so far this season due to injuries, and being able to turn out a pack that you didnt really notice we've virtually not started with our 1st choice pack

and with Byrne and Hill moving on next season, possibly for more money but most likely with the promise / likelihood of 1st team rugby, you can see why its a balancing act, and you cant blame players as its a short career. We also have up to 5 off contract at the end of next season, so have to make the right calls re recruitment / retention of those players


The other challenge is that all clubs are looking for props, so a competitive market place, and probably a good time to be a prop forward

I see Yates as a loose forward more than prop, and a defensive asset more than offensive. He is a very strong defensive player.I'd like a disruptive impact forward for when we need to change games. 




Vaughan, Bryne, 
New Prop, 
Harrison



Backup 
Philbin
Wood
Yates
Thomas
Green etc 


We also need at least one strike centre.