I think you're right about the lack of a pre season being the main concern to the point where you'd have to think we may be better extending his absence by a month or so and getting a proper one in to him (once fit).

Fingers crossed the injury isn't as bad as it could be and we're talking weeks at the start of the year rather then months.

I think he just wants out of the premiership. Seeing that there's really only two leagues of note in the Northern Hemisphere then he's no other option than looking to France.

IF he's available I'd hope we are looking. The potential to get a decent player whose wages are outside of the cap isn't something to turn your nose up at.

His wages would count on the cap.

Christ could you imagine the uproar if we were allowed to sign somebody and their wages weren't counted on the cap?

Pleeeeeeeease let it happen!

I probably just dreamed it, but was there not a rule where if you signed an RU player then you got special dispensation on the cap?

I'm sure Andy Powell didn't cost us anything.

A night out.

I remember something like the wages in the first year don't count and only 50% in the second year if you sign a player from another sport. I don't know if that's still the case though.

I think this might rule him out... Please correct me if i'm wrong.

An allowance against the calculation of a player’s Salary Cap Value is available under the
provisions of this clause 5.13 as follows(ii) has not played Rugby League at any age group or level, subject to the
HSCR’s ability to use his reasonable discretion to override this restriction so
that, non-exhaustively, it would ordinarily apply only to those who have not:
(a) played Rugby League for any participant club or team in a national 1st
tier senior grade competition (including for example, the European
Super League, UK Championships, any of the Australian NRL
competitions, French Elite Championship, New Zealand’s national
competitions),
(b) played for a team in a national Rugby League development competition
(including non-exhaustively, the RFL’s Academy competitions and the
NRL’s National Youth Competition), and/or
(c) participated in and/or played RFL Scholarship age group Rugby League
(or any equivalent Rugby League programmes based in other countries
not covered in (ii) (a) or (b) above)
shall, for the purposes of the allowance set out in this clause 5.12, be known as a
‘New Talent Pool Player’,

Re Sam T, I'm sorry he wont be available for the first month or so it's disappointing.
That has to be offset by the signing of Morgan Escare.
He was certainly the most exciting player at Catalans and has such blistering pace.
A good start to the season from Morgan really will create competition for places.

Agreed. Morgans initially coming here on a 1 year deal (Unless IL has put a further year option favouring Wigan in his contract) So to have a shot at impressing the powers that be he will be looking to find the form of 2014 which he had at Catalans in a position he naturally prefers.

A win win scenario for us IMO

Looks like he's likely to go to Toulon.

But... he might have unfinished business with RL. I'd look at him, class player with pedigree. Let bygones by bygones if he can aid the team and add to us winning silverware. He was a very young man when he left, money turns heads, and we all make mistakes (some could argue Wigan make a few mistakes with Ashton themselves).

No way did Ashton make a mistake going to RU!

This.
It's turned out well for him, hasn't it?
Forgetting what happened and the animosity that was felt at the time, I do wonder how good he could have been for us?
Bit worrying that he's been handed long term bans for raking eyes and biting: nobody wants to see that.

I wish I could share your enthusiasm about Morgan though I fear his best days may already be well behind him. Whilst I don't doubt his bravery and courage his defence really does look suspect. More than happy to be proved wrong though.

The one thing that Sam looks to have improved on since his return is his defence and catching the high ball. Tierney's defence is excellent however. I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up with another spell at fullback. One thing Wigan won't tolerate from Morgan is poor defence, no matter how good he is with the ball.

At St Pats?