Got told last night that its "nailed on" that he will (or already has) be signing for us but there will be several players offloaded to accomodate him (a certain young up and coming full back was one of the names suggested)

You do understand this is for next year there will be no one offloaded any time soon

There are already a number of player coming off contract this year, including our fullback

obviously it is for next season. just saying what I've been told, we are currently operating under the cap with pettybourne leaving and its almost a certainty that Bowen, Patrick and Budgie won't be with us next season, that should give us a good chunk of cap space but its certainly feasible that we may have to offload (or choose not to renew) some existing players is it not? I believe certain players have already been told this is the case.

I think Lewis Tierney may be one of those released.

It's my understanding that Ryan Hampshire has one and a half years left on his contract PLUS another year option in Wigans favour, which if taken up would then go to the end of 2017.

Tierney has recently signed a new contract so he'd be a difficult one to release but I think this forum would go into meltdown if Hampshire is allowed to leave.

.....

It was our mutual school friend that told me last night, he certainly suggested there had been dialogue with Hampshire, I'd be stunned myself.

On the TotalRL forum somebody reckons Tomkins let it slip on a NZ radio program overnight that 'he was totally committed to NZ until he's back in a Wigan shirt next year' when asked about giving his all to the NZ Warriors for the rest of this year.

Let's hope so.

One thing I do hope happens is that Sam returns from injury and has a really strong 2nd half of the NRL year. The vultures are out down under; some labelling him a 'failure' which is ludicrous. He might not set the league on fire but he's been a good performer. I hope he can make a big impact when he's back in the side. Knowing that he'll be coming home at the end of the year might help.

fb.me/4TfZGp1kC Thats the interview.

fb.me/4TfZGp1kC Thats the interview.

Good interview... He tried to side step the slip...