Not sure there's any point announcing this week, feels too much like a 'distraction'.

IF it's us vs. Saints in the GF I'd announce it that week to get them riled up get him sat in the stands with a Wigan scarf around his neck and a pie in his hand.

Altogether now, "Oh he'd rather be a Pie than a Saint....."

It’s not hard for some of those to get excited. To be fair though they are basing their comments on posts made on the Wigan forum, that essentially have no foundation.

French is playing really well at stand off and Field is playing really well at fullback. Absolutely nothing needs changing at 1 or 6.

Croft to Leeds 300,000

Good signing for them, they’ve really dropped a ball the last few year with their senior signings to compliment a really good set of young lads (particularly their young forwards), if they can get that right the next season or two I have no doubt they’ll be back challenging again.

Completely agree. We’re settled in those positions and I’m happy to go forward into 2024 and beyond as is.

Who knows, French might get even better after a pre season at 6.

Full pre-season would be great for French, pretty sure he hasn't had one since he joined us

Cust and Shorrocks have been linked with us (Hull FC) aparrently.

Shorrocks must now be on borrowed time and I do think it would be a good time for both him and Wigan if he were to move on in the offseason.

Good additions if you ask me, albeit maybe unspectacular ones. Cust has been unlucky in a lot of ways, in a different set up he should thrive. Shorrocks was very good in his short spell at Leigh and just hasn't really been able to force himself into a position where we have been very strong. Regular gametime at another club is exactly what he needs.

A personal trainer who used to work with Wigan told me this morning that Smithies to Canberra is essentially done. Assuming its correct its a big blow - his contributions to this team are phenomenal. But pleased for him as well and look forward to watching him next year - I think maybe another year or two would have given him an even better chance to do well right from the off but I don't doubt he'll thrive in time. Hopefully he'll be back in a Wigan shirt one day (excluding the next week or so obviously).

That would be very frustrating, would love to keep him for 1 more year at least with this pack, but if he does go Thompson is as good a replacement as we could ask for.