This is exactly why I've been banging the drum about Saints not being the enemy. Rivals? 100% yes, but they aren't the enemy to us.

This is other side of success that successful RL sides have to deal with. It's almost inevitable that, after a period of success, the NRL will come knocking. Why wouldn't they too? They (the NRL) are obviously looking for talented lads, but also ones who've had a rugby education in an environment that's as close to the NRL as you can get. That's us and that'd Saints.

Lord knows the NRL have raided us & it isn't fun, or funny now it's happening to them.

The two clubs need to work closer imo. F the rest of SL and how they continually fail to invest or aspire for better. Politic if needs be. Absolutely run roughshod too. Just do whatever is best for Wigan and Saints as, ultimately, that's what's good for RL.

If the NRL clubs have scouts who know their stuff watching the Superleague you’d have to think a bid for Mikey Lewis won’t be far off. He is looking outstanding at the minute and is leagues above some guys holding down starting spots over there.

Possibly, but I'm also sure said scouts are also asking if he can do it in a GF. He lost his head a little a little in the CC Final last year etc. Have their been questions over his attitude too.

From a scouts POV, it's just more of a "safe bet" to pick the guys from the big clubs. Dodd did it in the WCC. Tomkins before him. I can name you plenty of more fancied forwards than Sutton etc. You make it at Wigan, or Saints then it's more than likely they'll have all the right attributes.

I know I'm in the minority but I don't think he could play for a top side and definitely not an NRL side. He plays for himself and his side would have to play with no structure

He has lots of highlight reel moments but as a team player not for me.

Harsh red card that, don’t think he could have pulled out and the tackle was mainly to the shoulder/chest, always looks worse when the player passes it and relaxes, yellow card would have been suffice imo. Should make the game interesting though.

I think he’s learning day by day tbh. He’s got a lot of responsibility in that KR side now and is thriving on it. I go back to comments I’ve made before about not every NRL player being superman and Lewis is easily better than a few starting currently.

That’s an even worse red card

I don't see it but he may well prove me wrong, I think Dodd has a far better chance of cementing a spot there than if Lewis went.

Hes a great runner of the ball but thats it for me.

Makinson's departure from Saints confirmed. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... ds-in-2025

Makinson's departure from Saints confirmed. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... ds-in-2025

Was rumoured for a few weeks now. He’s been arguable the best English winger for the past few years and I’d say one of the best I’ve seen. I think who ever gets him (Catalan) will have a further few good years out of him.

I wonder if Makinson wanted to stay at saints or move on? Does throw some questions how they line up next year. Makinson has saved that edge leaking many try’s since Hurrell has been at centre. I think they’ll get rid of hurrell, ritson and Bennison to the wing and Blake and davies to centre? Or be in the market for a centre. Looks like it’s going to get worse before it gets better for saints

In my humble opinion Marshall is as good as Makinson,as he did show him a clean pair of heels 2 years ago in the CC semi.Just that Marshy hasnt been given the chance in a international yet and is prob too late now.
Anyway before before any one gets their knickers in a twist Makinson is a great player.

You're forgetting Percival I think mate. If our first choice back line is Ritson, Blake, Davies, Bennison I think I will go and support Thatto Heath.

I think Hurrell and Blake will stay and we sign a new winger. Bennison is bang average and Ritson was a pointless signing as Wellens clearly doesn't rate him. Hopefully a new 1,6 or 7 too.

I said on Twitter that it almost feels like Utd of 95/96 when Ince, Kanchelskis and Hughes left and the fans were in uproar. The Class of 92 came in and the rest is history. Of course I'm not suggesting for one minute the exact same thing will happen but the cub have either got some signings up their sleeve or they are putting their faith in the youth system. Owen Dagnall in particular is highly rated as a winger but I'm not sure how ready he will be next season.

This is the start of the transition where the 4 in a row team breaks up and although I've largely been disappointed in our recruitment of late I have to trust the club that they have processes in place to keep us competing.

I was under the impression Tom Davies was Hull KR bound but 3 or 4 different Saints fans have told me they have signed him. Good replacement for Makinson if true.

It seems from the outside looking in that the future planning looks a bit piecemeal. You are right though there could be a cunning plan. From what I hear Tommy wasn’t offered a suitable deal hence the reason he has decided to leave, that could be due to a number of reasons: the club has already recruited; they feel they need to create an opportunity for an upcoming player; they needed to create salary cap space to make signings; they feel that Tommy is way past his sell by date; or they are financially strapped. It will be interesting to see what the outcome is in 2025.