People keep mentioning Matty Smith as a replacement - well and good, a sound option, and definately one of the more improved backs this season, but who would partner him - how about Gareth Widdop from Melbourne Storm at no6 , performs consistently well and is English too, was outstanding last season for Storm and has been one of the lead performers so far this season, perfomed well for England last year when given the opportunity, and a good utility player who can fill in at fullback, centre or in the halves,reckon these two would do well under the Wane regime.

Yes assuming he's out of contract and that he wants to play for Wigan

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Widdop before, sounds like a plan to me

why the hell would Gareth Widdop leave the best team in Australia to come play for Wigan, just because he's English or something? absolutely no chance on this earth

some people need a grip of reality on here. Why don't we just see if Thurston fancies a few season at 7 too?

We're really going to struggle to find a replacement, and the majority of people we would be able to attract would be a step down.

Exactly, the whole widdop thing is a total non-starter.

People need to get a reality check, any top player in the NRL will not leave to join a super league side unless their getting on a bit and want to prolong their career in a second rate competition. Widdop is currently playing stand off for the best team in the best competition in world, he get's paid more, has more recognition, he is well settled with family and friends in Australia he simply isn't going to move to Wigan or any other super league team in the next 7 or 8 years. The whole dependence on Aussie half back imports will shortly become a thing of the past and we must look to start developing our own.

The only thing that makes Widdop slightly less unrealistic than someone like Thurston, Cronk, Cherry-Evans, Marshall or Carney is that he obviously wouldnt have to sacrifice rep honours to play over here. Other than that it is VERY unlikely. He's 23, starting 6 for the current NRL league leaders playing alongside Slater, Cronk and Smith, his close English family are out there and he is is settled in Oz with a gf and kids. Melbourne won't want rid either. Apparently he's not on silly wages but it's doubtful we'd be able to compete after the cap increase. Complete non starter for me, would love him here, but won't happen anytime soon.

It'll be Rangi Chase and Smith.

And I'll be happy with that. I would be happier with Brough/Soward and Smith though.

What about if Finch goes back to the storm?

No place for Widdop it's all well and good getting paid to do nothing but players want to play every week and he wont get in a full back with Slater there

I dont think Chase would be good for us he's to off the cuff for a structured team like us maybe Wane would drill it in him but might take time

rumours on our end that we are after chase and you will get myler from us dont think its true as we are always linked with chase and myler is always linked to go.

now Myler would be an excellent option, we all know hes better than TomPkins

Weve got it covered no need for panic, if we sign matty smith which it looks like we have then the easiest way to re-organise would be to put Sam back in at the half backs just like we did with shaun edwards and give Matty Russell the full back role, hes proving himself at this level for hull maybe needs to touch up on his defence but going forward he could be another billy slater, problems solved! All we need then is for Matty Smith to step up to the plate! SIMPLES!

Weve certainly got enough strenght and depth in the forwards coming through weve got 3 big young lads in Crosby, Burke and Spencer. With Burke being able to play at loose or second row so we have all areas covered

Russell is nowhere near good enough to replace Sam at fullback. He's not proving himself at all, he's simply showing that he's got potential. He's a long, long way off being good enough to be first choice fullback. He can't deal with high kicks and his positioning is off defensively while his attacking game needs work, mainly his passing and his ability to join the attacking line.

Besides, Shaun Wane has already stated that Tomkins is staying at fullback.