In theory we're not ridiculously well stocked at second row. We're losing KPP and Farrell turns 34 next year.

That said, he's still behind Faz, Walters, Isa and Nsemba, so it makes sense for him to move on now for the sake of his own career.

Potentially Isa's last season with us in 2024 plus who knows how long Faz will go. Take those two out and we look short if injuries occur.

From a selfish point of view I'd like to keep him - he was really useful to have in reserve this year and there's every chance that we'll have to call on him next year too for a handful of games.

If I were him though and I was given the chance to get a proper run as a first teamer at a good club, I'd probably take it. Even if this is Isa's last run and we can't look too far in the future for Farrell, we still have two second rowers who are younger than him and ahead of him. Maybe there could be a role for him as a ball playing 13 now that Smithies seems to be gone, but that doesn't seem to be the direction that we're going in.

That will be fixed when necessary. It would allow the club to recruit a non-federation player with experience to fill the gap.

Seems to me there's a transition in place.
With Farrell & Isa senior 2nd rows. Walters, Nsemba & Shorrocks.
The club could always bring in an NRL 2nd row.

Or get Smithies back in a few years.

No, once you've gone your gone, there is no return

Smithies more suited to playing 13 than second row.

He doesn’t have the speed or evasiveness that would make him a second rower in the ilk of Farrell.

We will miss Faz when he eventually decides to call it a day. One of the most consistent players I’ve seen at Wigan in the last 20 years. He has made every six outside of him look brilliant with the lines he runs.

Didn't realise he was 33. His current contract to the end of 2025 may be his last one then.

I shudder to think of the day he calls it quits. The guy is a machine and even though he seems to have been getting more of a billing across the game in recent years, than he did a few years back, I still think he’s well underrated.

On the plus side, the guys that fit I think he could play until he’s 37/38 if he wants to, so we’ve got time to get the succession plans in place.

Tonight's the night

IYKYK

Just been a dream, local lad, played in the academy, took to the first team like a duck to water, won loads of GFs, will retire a one club man.

We need more Liam Farrell’s

Wally Lewis ?

Ultimate professional and the only player out the current team I am very worried about losing