I think that's how we will start the season but Bateman's best position is second row. It wouldn't surprise me as the season progresses that Isa moves to the bench. Bateman, Isa & Farrell are all too similar for me to be playing in that system. If Isa moves to the bench, Bateman back to second row, i think Shorrocks will make the 13 position his own. I am not convinced by Partington. Smithies needs to have big season this year.

I’d expect a back row of Isa, Farrell and Bateman also and I’d back them all to get the job done. They’re superb players but I do agree it might not be the best balance long term given a lack of real size.

I’d still like to see Bateman at loose forward, both personally in form and in a side playing well before forming real judgments. He hardly got to play there last season and I got a sense he quite fancied a go at the position when he came back. If that did work out I’d love to see a back three of Pearce-Paul, Farrell and Bateman over time and I think you’d get a bit of everything. We clearly wouldn’t have that Lockers style 13 then but who does?

Whatever happens the competition is going to be intense and all of the back row forwards are going to have to play well or they won’t play.

Bateman for me needs to move to 13. He falls into that category of players that can and should move positions. I have zero doubt that he would make it a success too.

Like you said, it's hard to judge anything based off last season. I do think however that we saw plenty of flashes of him working around the middle and trying to make things happen.

This is what I’d like to see. Isa could do a job from the bench, bring energy and work rate to the middle, also emergency cover for the backrow and centre.

I agree with you I’d like to see a run of games with Bateman at loose. It would benefit us to have one of our best players closer to the action.

Give Bateman and KPP the freedom to offload would improve us.

All stands are open for Wire v Wigan, it is for the Salford game that the South and West stands are closed.

TICKET INFO
Tickets are available to purchase now from the official club store, by calling 01925 248888 or online. Supporters can buy on game day from cash turnstiles in the South and West Stand or from the ticket office windows in the North Stand.

Under 7s will be able to attend the fixture for free with a paying adult. Family tickets are also available for 2 x adults and 2 x Under 16s priced at £30 in the South and East Stand and £40 North Stand.

Blue Card discount is also available.

Please note ######

Warrington have a "Young Adult" purchase policy for anyone aged 17 to 23 and they get Concession price which is £10 instead of £15
It doesn't mention this on the Wigan Site and actually says concessions up to 18
Ticket prices
•Adults – £15
•Concessions – £10
•U16s – £5
•Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 junior) – £30

*Under 7s go free with a paying adult. Concessions

- But if you look at Warringtons it says it and they are selling tickets for the South stand for that age range at £10

If your in that Age group - My 2 lads are
Take a screenshot - Pay £10

Snipped form the Warrington Ticket page details
Young Adults are supporters between 17-23 years of age

Is this game definitely being shown on Wigan tv?

yes https://twitter.com/WiganWarriorsRL/sta ... 2YzpyMuB7w

yes https://twitter.com/WiganWarriorsRL/sta ... 2YzpyMuB7w

Wigan TV for me thanks to Covid (shouldn’t have bought a ticket).

If the players are lining up as named then KPP centre, Thornley wing and Isa loose forward.

Interesting calls.

Too early to say but they may well view KPP primarily as a centre now. I think it could be a really smart move, particularly with that being our weakest area of the squad.

Nothing wrong with having a look at him there. I was at Hull away last season when he had open space in front of him and he wasn’t the quickest but he’d be a handful for anybody running that wide and players on either side of him will need to stay alive and push up in support because he can offload in some incredible positions.

I’m all for looking at a couple of these young backrowers in other spots if they’re suitable. We’re ultimately going to lose some of them through sheer weight of numbers but we can potentially lower those numbers and unearth a gem in another position by trying a couple of things.