see Gareth Thomas.

Correct about the loose forward. At present with the system Smith uses of the fourth prop as a "loose forward" we are too one dimensional in attack.

Who were getting for free from the RFL. Ouch.

Do you really believe that?

Sadly, I think he does.

He's failing to see the obvious, that the club is replacing Martin Gleeson with Gareth Thomas which indicates that their ain't much money around. Where are the replacements for Coley & Hoffman.

They certainly aren't going to start spraying money around for Chase.

In fairness, backrow is an area where they are quite heavy, so a replacement for Hoffman, despite being first choice isn't as great a priority. Prop is a fair bit different, Coley retires with two long term replacements also leaving, implies, to me, the pennies aren't exactly flowing.

I would speculate the long term contract to Tomkins has usurped a fair bit of cash earmarked for succession planning.

Are they quite heavy in the back-row?

Using your assumption that Thomas is the replacement for Gleeson then that is leaving Joel Tomkins in the centres. Mossop is being played as a straight-up prop now.

So it leaves you with Hock as the replacement for Hoffman which is a big backward step going on what we have seen of Hock since his return (queue Pie-Eater saying "wait 'til he's had a pre-season" - FFS he's just had a two year pre-season of "training the house-down" and "looking like a monster", or so we were told for months on end before his return) and Farrell left as the replacement on the bench and after that Tuson to come in.

That is not what I would call "heavy in the back-row".

Used to love watching Hock, he used to be a cracking dynamic forward who would run through players, now he just hits the line turns round and tries to offload, the old Hock would walk in to the England side, this new one just looks like an average SL forward

If Thomas is a replacement for Gleeson, then that would transfer Tomkins back to the pack.

Hoffman is a sizeable loss in respect of experience and work ethic. I would also speculate leadership on, and off the pitch, too. Hock, based on his current form, will be a spot-man for all and sundry.

The way I see their back row composition; Tomkins, Hansen, Farrell and Tuson, with Hock in a supporting role. Four (five?) covering two spots, is pretty healthy cover in my book.

Regarding a loose forward i think Grix can do a good enough job at 13. You can't afford to have stand out players in every position due to the cap also Harrison, Cooper and Bridge can play there depending on the opposition.

Hoffman will be a big loss to Wigan's pack next year, but no bigger loss than Wire losing King from their backline. I would have thought Hock will take the direct place of Hoffman next year, alongside Hansen and Lockers. With Farrel, Tuson and Hughes providing back up. It's worth mentioning that it's likely the Wigan pack will be bolstered in numbers at least, by the supposed signings of Dudson and Flower. Who both have very favorable stats when compared against supposed better players in better teams.

Again I would have thought that Joel will continue at centre. An off-season practicing and perfecting that position alongside Charnley, should go along way to curing some of Joel's and Josh's faults. Thomas will be no more than a squad player who can cover centre when needed.

Personally I think at Wigan we'll see a great integration of youngsters into the first team next year under Wane. Something that Madge has been a little reluctant to do at times this year. We'll no doubt see the likes of King, Powell and Greg Burke, a player I'm very excited about seeing progress, come into the first team next year. Plus other a few others I've failed to mention such as Russel and the lads out on DR.

Chase currently at Headingley (stolen from Twitter)https://images.instagram.com/media/2011/09/18/67f8a53391244a0692b58bd6e4e362fa_7.jpg" >

Although apparantely not watching the rugby....

What are you insinuating.

Erm, that Rangi Chase is at Headingley......

Rangi Chase will definately not be a Wire next season (from a very good source).