Hope unions not ruined him, Lee Smith only went down for a matter of weeks and still doesnt look anywhere near where he was.

Smith's attitude problems may have something to do with his deterioration. He went to Wasps expecting to rip it up and couldn't last more than 6 weeks. I know the anti-union brigade will point to him seeing sense or whatever but he obviously went in with the wrong attitude and ended up looking a complete tool IMO.

Hopefully Thornley's inclusion in the Championship dream team shows he is prepared to knuckle down and do the hard yards to succeed, something Smith failed to do.

I think it's how crap Smith is in RL now, rather than during his six-week holiday in RU, that has raised the eyebrows.

How could a player who was so effective previously have lost so much physically in so brief a time? Not sure what they did to him in RU, but it sure wasn't good.

it was clear after the GF Smith was regretting his decision about signing for wasps.

Just saw this quote from Madge from when he left

Wigan coach Michael Maguire'"

I get the impression that many of you are confusing Ian with his older brother Andy. Andy moved into 2nd row from centre while Ian stayed predominantly in the centres, and was generally considered to have the greater potential when he left for union at 18.