Quite surprised at this considering that Powell is at Wakey

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/11/ ... h-trinity/ Cracking arrangement for both clubs. Hopefully, it will help Wakefield return to SL and it will give plenty of valuable experience to our young stars of the future.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/11/ ... h-trinity/ Cracking arrangement for both clubs. Hopefully, it will help Wakefield return to SL and it will give plenty of valuable experience to our young stars of the future.

Will probably see some valuable experience and regular game time for our younger Props in particular.

Trinity are short upfront and whilst I expect them to continue recruiting I’d think that if Eseh, Hill & Chan are not involved in first team duties at Wigan they will be in contention to play at Trinity.

You wonder just how far down the line this deal was at the time they signed Eseh. Having so many props when you now have a place for them to get regular, reliable game time starts to make more sense

See how it plays out. Happy to have an agreement in place but Daryl Powell and playing youngsters doesn’t usually go together. It feels like a club a bit lower down the championship pecking order may have been more suitable.

On a separate note, it was interesting to read a suggestion from Steve Mascord around Newcastle and Wigan. He suggested the Aussie model of Newcastle being affiliated with Wigan, like teams in the NSW and Q Cups and us then providing numerous players to them. Not sure exactly how it works but on the face of it, I’d love that sort of move to come off in the future.

I’m guessing Wakefield may take advantage of our forwards and we may look to get our backs out on loan elsewhere.

Trinity have a pretty good set of outside backs and also youngsters waiting for a crack so I’m thinking they may want to invest in developing them over bringing in the likes of Douglas and Eckersley unless they get a long term injury.

The interesting one will be Hampshire, not sure what he is doing for 24, have we confirmed his extension? If so I can see him spending time at Wakey so he is getting game time in case French or Field pick up an injury.

Does it work two ways? If we ended up having a massive injury crisis, could we call on Thornley?

I believe Hampshire has signed a one year extension. From a good source

Wondered that myself and I think you potentially could. I remember Leeds during their link up with Fev getting Luke Briscoe.

With all due respect to Thornley it would have to be one hell of an injury crisis if we needed him back at the club.

And he wasn't also injured himself.

Dual reg ended, Wakey saying their squad is more than big enough so ended by mutual consent

Can't say I'm massively surprised with this given the relationship between Powell and Wigan. I also can't imagine that agreeing to loan Eseh to Castleford would've helped either.

I don’t think there is any bad blood at all. Wigan will have wanted players out on loan and the reality is Wakefield don’t need them.

Trinity have really good squad depth and are winning each week without getting out of third gear and even when they have injuries they can cover them with their own squad players so it’s a pointless agreement that benefits neither Wigan or Trinity.

Wigan will want to get the likes of Eckersley, Forber and Douglas out on loan Trinity don’t need them.

Makes sense for everyone that it ends and Wigan use Barrow who will need them.

The Eseh situation won’t have had any effect at all, again he’s not a player Trinity would need unless they loose maybe 4 possibly 5 props to injury at the same time and there is no way Trinity would want him to come in and take game time away from Vagana, Uele and Rodwell who are all young and being developed as SL players for 2025.

As I understand it relationships between the 2 clubs are still very positive.

It seemed a strange one at the time of the announcement, with Wakey investing heavily in their squad. A dual reg agreement with a club likely to only need any of your players in an injury crisis always had a chance of being ended early. The partnership with Barrow makes far more sense. You’d think that straight away they’d be happy to get guys like Eckersley and Hampshire in the squad if possible, on top of arrangements already in place for Forber and Beardsworth.