Powell's still dining out on a good performance in a friendly in New Zealand.

Time to step up if he does start.

You're right there - anyone remember anything that lad has done since that game (nearly 18months ago)?

I remember a couple of chicken wings he did that he should've been banned for, other than that literally nothing comes to mind.

What I don't understand regarding Hampshire. If he wasn't selected in the squad v Wire why wasn't he sent up to Workington on dual reg last weekend. They played Leigh so it would have been an ideal opportunity for him to play against Brierley. Wigan could have had a good look at his performance against the best team in that division and he could have tested himself them, plus it would have kept him match fit. Sam Powell went up there a couple of weeks back and scored two tries which is probably part of the reason why he is back in the squad. It seems stupid not to have given Hampshire that same opportunity.

Actual words used are that he is going to come back and roast Wigan.

It is now getting past the obvious that Wane is determined that Ryan will not figure under him at halfback unless it is as a last resort and even if Hampshire had a blinder he would be dropped the next match.

Why this is happening cant be put down to lack of ability in the halfback position because he hasn't been given a chance their, there can only be a more deeper reason for what is happening,

Maybe Wane for some reason wants him out and doesn't want to be seen to be the person doing it.

Charlie, nail on head

I actually think Powell is another who hasn't been given what could be consituted as a decent run.

He's been in and out of the side (dropped and injured). One week he'll play 6 then he'll be dropped for three games, brought back but playing @ 9. Then he'll be dropped again and the cycle will repeat.

With Hampshire, Powell and even Williams there's one constant and that's Wane will never ever drop Matty Smith. These young and talented lads are all playing 2nd fiddle to a limited player who is one of Wane's special group who will always get picked.

TBF stuff like makes me confident that a new coach wouldn't have a big job on his hands to sort things out. It's almost like the Noble era I.e. you knew there was a decent side in there but it toik a proper coach to bring the best out.

It will be unforgivable if he leaves due to poor management. The lad is no Sam Tomkins, but he's clearly got plenty of potential.

I agree with that. I think Powell should have produced more since that game but you're right in that he's never really had an extender run in one position. Wanes stock excuse for a bad defeat seems to be Williams on to the bench with Powell starting but then it's abandoned after half a game or so. One constant is that Hampshire doesn't get a crack in the halves unless he truely has no other option.

It's all a bit weird.

Not sure about that e.g Sarginson, Clubb, Flower, Gelling, Mossop, Mickey Mac, Bateman etc aren't "Wigan lads" but I agree there is too much sentiment in the selection/recruitment process. There is a core of players who seem immune from criticism because they've grown up with SW through juniors and family members close to them.

tThey're sometimes forgetting the quality must also be there. Mossop was a classic example, signed because he was a good lad rather than quality (which he's clearly not shown). Also Liam Farrell when he was terrible at the beginning of the season and a penalty machine, was there ever a chance he'd lose his place? Could you imagine Crosby, Powell, L. Tomkins being kept on under Maguire?

I don't think it is. McIlorum, Mossop, Smith, Gelling,Bateman etc aren't Wigan lads and they're getting picked.

There's issues more deep rooted then that with Hampshire you'd have to think. My guess is he doesn't like the fact that he's not eternally grateful for being asked to play in a position he's not totally comfortable in.

Whatever it is there's only going to be one winner and we'll have to wait until Hampshires at another club to see what he's really made of.

The problem to be solved is who provides our kicking game if Smith were to be dropped? For all his limitations I thought he kicked well against Warrington. Does he know that he's actually allowed to run at the opposition line with ball in hand?