I'd take the squad numbers with a pinch of salt. Hughes got number 4 for 2012 under Wane but lost the spot to Thornley before the season even started. I don't see why the same couldn't happen wirh Hampshire getting in ahead of Williams or Powell. Likewise Thornley has a starting 17 number this year but doubt we would ever play a back off the bench

Fui Fui Moimoi

I agree about taking the squad numbers with a pinch to salt to the extent I have not taken any notice of who got what number. I didn't even know Thornley was in it. There will however be a definite "first 17" in my view whatever number is on the backs of the players in it and I can't see Wane making many unforced changes to what that first 17 is, certainly until we have a few wins and points.

I also don't think the Hughes analogy is going to apply with Williams. Hughes was a stopgap centre just as Joel T was before him whereas Williams is actually a half back. Unless he just can't hack it I reckon Wane will persist with him. He's been given the jersey and I can't see Wane giving someone else a go in that spot unless we get a very easy CC fixture (which is less likely now) or we have injuries.

I'm actually quite confident that Hampshire will take and keep the #1 jersey by the end of the year. I think that Hampshire could leave the coach no choice but to play him but unless Bowen plays an absolute blinder, we should probably do all we can to facilitate this happening.

The idea of breaking up a halfback partnership mid game is not one I would go along with.

I too am looking forward to see how Hampshire progresses this year. I'm expecting him to get between 15 and 20 games (some at #1 and some at #6) He's such an exciting player who was unlucky to get injured at the same time as Green last year, otherwise I'm sure he would have figured more in the first team. I also hope we get to see him at #6 and Williams at #7 for a few games at least.

Hopefully Oliver Gildart will get the odd game and fulfil his undoubted potential.

One other young player I would like to see get a game is Luke Waterworth, a hooker who has probably the best passing game I have seen at Wigan since Martin Dermott. He's a bit on the small side at the moment, but the kid can play.

Really? Why? Unless there are injuries I think he will be lucky to get half that number in my opinion. I know you said split between two positions but that means Willams and Bowen stand aside for between 7 and 10 games each. This is just not realistic.

We'll see.

A regular bench spot isn't that unlikely. If it's close he can do half an hour at stand off as a straight swap with Williams/Powell, if it's less close he can come on for Bowen or McIlorum (Williams/Powell to 9 in that case).

Waterworth sounds like a very interesting prospect.
How old is he?
I'm a huge MM fan however, his weakest point is probably his distribution.

I personally can't see Bowen playing more than 60% of games this season.

Waterworth played well against the Aussie tourists. His passing is exceptional really fires the ball out from dummy half

Waterworth is only 18 years of age and a very talented young player. It will depend on how he "fills out" IMO.

A regular spot on the bench for Hampshire when Bowen is at fullback would help to alleviate the problem Wigan could have with no back up for MM on the bench,
To spell MM move Smith into the hooking role for a spell (he almost plays as an extra dummy half as it is) , this would allow Hampshire to come on and resurrect his halfback partnership with Williams.
It is only by giving the pair a chance in their natural positions that Wigan will see if what was a devastating partnership in junior rugby could grow in the first team, done gradual it could only benefit both players and the club.

I think that Larne Patrick will be outstanding this season for us off the bench and will make a real impact

But the player i am most looking forward to watching is Budgie, I hope that he can continue his fantastic 2014 form into the new season and progress even further

Hampshire will be really someone to look forward to watching. Fir his own and also that he'll replace Bowen next year.
Will be interesting to see how the club sort out Burgess's replacement. Manfredi is the obvious one and his introduction throughout the season will be something to look forward to.