I'm not slightly bothered (I'd say pleased) that Austin has gone, I'd be gutted if Hill leaves.

That, added to constantly chirping at the ref instead of playing the ball and not making the meters he used to.

But this year, we've gone back to seeing the best of Chris Hill. That was epitomized by his immense carry before Williams' drop goal.

Philbin being a 26 GB international is replacing Hill as one of your top 2 props.

Bullock is replacing him as a bench prop.

Harrison is replacing Sita

Butler and Mulhern in the mix.

Hill has signed for Huddersfield.

If true that is a significant weakening of the front row

Completely agree.

From the plaudits I’m hearing for James Harrison I believe he or Mulhern will be in contention to partner Mike Cooper as starting prop. If Bullock is signing I’d expect him to be fighting for a bench spot with Philbin and either Mulhern/ Harrison. Butler and young Doro will be back up. I think both still need to prove themselves at this level.
Joe Philbin for me seems to have levelled off this season and needs to get his old destructive grunt back. There again what do I know, Shaun Wane still picks him for England.
I’d expect our first choice pack next season to be:-

Cooper
Clarke
Mulhern/Harrison
Currie
Holmes
Hughes.
Off the bench would be
Mulhern/Harrison
Bullock (if signed)
Walker.

That for me is a good pack.

Sorry missed Joe Philbin off bench

I can see mulhern jumping philbs to be starting prop, it's not been covered on here this year but I think he's had a very good first season for us

Really like Mulhern and Harrison could be a cracker but still our pack will suffer with the loss of Hill. Yes I know he's winding down in terms of age but one more year would've been ideal. He's been consistently excellent for us and IMO was the best player on the park in the last World Cup final. Hill would've smashed it in the NRL, he's undoubtedly world class and 3 or 4 (good to decent) props will not compensate for one world class one.

Excellent post, couldn't agree more.

who says he is definitely leaving?

A Wigan fan on the previous page, so it's obviously true.