Hopefully we'll run with one hooker, both Powell and Leuluai can do 80 mins so I don't see the point of wasting two interchanges we could make better use of.

Escare
Davies
Sarginson
Gildart
Burgess
Tomkins
Williams
Clubb
Powell
Flower
Bateman
Farrell
O’Loughlin

Tautai
Sutton
Tomkins
Leuluai

I’m intrigued what the spine is going to be. I like that a lot of the players can play more than one position

Sam (Full back/ halve back)
Sarge (Centre/ Full back)
Escare ( Full back/ half back/ bench hooker)
Ganson (hooker)
Sharrocks ( half back/ hooker)
Tommy ( hookers/ Halfback)
Lockers (loose/ halfback)
Powell ( hooker/ Half)
Williams ( half/ hooker).

Think we’ll start the season like this

1.) Tomkins
6.) Williams
7.) Escare
9.) Powell

14.) Lealuai

Think the club have real high hopes for Sharrocks and Ganson ( part of the reason MM was let go IMO)

Lots of options excited to see how they all go. Let’s hope they all stay fit this time!

I would be amazed if we started the season with Escare at 7, Powell at 9 and Leuluai sat on the bench.

What do you reckon then Grimmy?

I just reckon Sam won’t move from FB yet. And Lealuai will add something off the bench more than Powell would.

So is Lockers. According to an article in Wigan Today he's said it's not been decided yet which I find totally baffling. Wane has known and coached all the potential spine players bar Escare for literally years and has had an entire off season to think about it. If he doesn't know what they are cable of by now and who is best for what position he never will.

What I predict/What I would like:

1. S.Tomkins/Escare

7. Leuluai/S.Tomkins

9. Powell/Leuluai

14. Escare/Powell

I think that is spot on except that I think SW will play Powell at 7 and TL at 9.

Of course it is just possible that Wane does know who he wants, but has decided not to publicise it yet as he wants to keep them on their toes. It's also possible that as the shirt numbers haven't yet been announced that there may be a late addition to the squad.

Or alternatively we could could just conclude that the coach is clueless, as I see you have, as you do every time you post. Still at least you are consistent. You must have been gutted when we won the WCC

I do think the coach is pretty clueless. I am not the only one who doesn't think he is up to it and there is plenty of evidence to support this view.

Please tell me you are not being serious by suggesting he's "decided not to publicise it yet as he wants to keep them on their toes". I assume you mean by "them" it's the players but given it's a team game it might be an idea to get the team positions settled before SL kicks off in less than a month. As to incoming players and shirt numbers I don't know why they are not out yet but what is the issue with getting them out now so people can buy them if they want and giving any new signings a high number, just as we would if we signed someone mid-season?

As to the WCC as I was as pleased any anyone else about that but I don't blow its importance up to be greater than what it is and like most people was hoping it didn't do anything to derail our league campaign as it has seemed to do for other clubs who took part previously. IMO it's about as important as the LLS in that the only fans who really care about it are those from the club that wins it (especially if they win nothing else that season).

Escare,
Davies (Manfredi) Sarginson, Gildart,
Burgess.
S Tomkins, Williams.
FPN, Leuluai, J Tomkins,
Bateman, Farrell, O'Loughlin.
Flower, Tautai, Sutton, Powell.

I'd start with Joel at prop for his size. I thought the best front row in SL last year was at HullFC with Watts, Houghton and Taylor. They are big mobile and skillful. I think FPN and Joel could match that. We have to start with the front row getting on the front foot and we need to start big!

With you 100% Ted re our props need to play like props but I don't have the same enthusiasm for playing JT in the front row. I would have him starting in the second row because I think he lacks that bit of mongrel for a prop and I am with you our starting 13 needs to be bigger than we have been in the last few seasons.
I would put Bateman at centre when SOL plays and second row when SOL doesn't play with Farrell going to 13 when SOL is absent.