I also saw him in the sponsors lounge and it didn't sound like he expecting to play in the GF. It's a shame because with him in the side I'd put our chances against the Wolfs as 60:40 in our favour but without him it would be 40:60, he really is that important to this side.

It would be madness to risk him if there's any significant chance of long term repercussions if he plays. Hopefully he will be ready to face the Aussies, we are going to need him, he is one of a handful of genuinely world class players we have.

Lockers has had a brilliant season and is a key part of our attack and defense. However, I would like to see him picking up a World Cup winners medal with England. A long shot maybe but he has every chance of representing his country if he isn't crocked and the Grand Final is a week too soon for me.

Love it at times like this when everyone becomes a doctor. If he is ready he will play, if not he wont. People a lot more qualified than us will make that call. No matter what they decide it will be the right choice for Wigan & Sean.

I think Lockers is a fantastic player but there is no way I would play him, even if he was able to play again. He was out for quite a while before the Challenge Cup final and has had a pot on for 4 weeks. There is absolutely no way that he would be anywhere near match fit and he wouldnt be able to cope with the pace that the game will be next week.

Lockers would cope, not many could be he would.

I dont think we'll get to see the proof though.

He's come back too early from some of his other injuries, though.

If lockers is anything less than 100% he should not play. An Achilles injury can take a long time to recover from due to the tendon having poor blood flow. Even to win the gf it's not worth it for lockers to play if he ain't fit look at how much pace paddy lost after his injury. I'm sure waney will do what's best for lockers.

As you say an Achilles injury can take a long time to clear up, with that in mind I think it would be stupid to rush him back for the World Cup.
By the time the W/C starts with England v Australia on the 26th of October he will have had practically no Rugby for 2 months and to expect him to get into full contact training in the 3 weeks remaining prior to the opening match could be to much.
The last thing Wigan need is for him to break down again during the competition and miss the start of next season.

The coach has obviously devised a way to play without him, for which he deserves massive credit. Leave SOL out unless heis 100%.

As good as he is, and any regular poster will know how highly I speak of SOL even as a Wire supporter, if he is not fully fit then don't you think the Wire team and management will know that? He'll be targeted the whole game and he'll be working harder than he usually does. There's no way he'll hold up for 80 mins in this game, this game more than any other you don't need passengers. Unfortunately and I mean this genuinely, he won't play.

A half or 3/4 fit SOL is still head and shoulders above anyone in the Wigan or Dire pack.

In games like this you need leaders, people who can organise, set the temp and guys who will run their blood to water.

SOL would never be a passenger and with a 5 month break after this i'm confident we can get him out there.

You mean like Watkins, JJB and McGuire weren't passengers on Friday?

Being a great player means nothing if you're simply not fit for a game.

I agree. Saturday's match isn't one for passengers, no matter how important they are to the team.

He should be left out of the opening tie against the Aussies. Bring him back in a low key match and work from there. I wish Peacock would reconsider playing for England

How many times has a great player come off the injury table to play a blinder in a big game?

The Radlinksi cup final springs to mind.

JJB aside, and regardless of how good they are, i don't think they have Lockers heart to just get on with it and play through it.

A 90% fit Lockers is still as good as 100% fit Jack Hughes and will not let anyone down.