Saracens posted a video to twiiter showing Owen Farrell back in training for them. Not sure what to make of it, obviously their season is still in it's early stages so makes sense for him to be back. But if he was signing for us i would have expected us to buy him out of his current contract and for him to be resting up now in preparation for our pre-season as it would need to be a big one for him i feel. Just doesn't seem to add up. https://twitter.com/Saracens/status/171 ... gr%5Etweet

Saracens posted a video to twiiter showing Owen Farrell back in training for them. Not sure what to make of it, obviously their season is still in it's early stages so makes sense for him to be back. But if he was signing for us i would have expected us to buy him out of his current contract and for him to be resting up now in preparation for our pre-season as it would need to be a big one for him i feel. Just doesn't seem to add up. https://twitter.com/Saracens/status/171 ... gr%5Etweet

I’m so glad someone has said this. Because if I said it I’d be accused of being bitter etc.

You’re spot on. It would be a signing that screamed “look at us and how much money we have.” It would make sense commercially and I appreciate how big the story would be because of who he is, his name, his stature in world sport. But from a playing point of view I just don’t get it.

For him to play at 6 it would mean French or Field going and trust me, every opposition fan would rather play you with Farrell at 6 and Field/French at 1 than your current set up.
At 13 he wouldn’t do half the work that the likes of Smithies or Knowles do. He’s not taking 15 carries and doing 35 tackles a game. It just won’t happens.
Centre? You’ve signed Keighran to play alongside Wardle so again it wouldn’t make much sense.
2nd row? Again, he’s not the type to making those types of carries and running lines.

It just doesn’t make any sense from a rugby point of view. I’ve been told by someone at Wigan they’d be amazed if it happened but he doesn’t know for 100% certain. Personally I’d be shocked if it happened but it genuinely wouldn’t concern me from the point of view of playing against you.

The Luke Thompson deal worries me far far more because if you get the 2019 version then it’s the signing of the season by a country mile.

Thompson is the great unknown, if he's finally got over his injuries he'll be a massive signing for us even if he's just come here to put himself back in the NRL shop window, two out of the four years he's signed for then a transfer fee is good business, if he turns out to be G Burgess MkII we've dug a big hole for ourselves.

You’d think with Farrell back in training with saracens, that pretty much puts the rumours to bed. As someone previously said, if he was coming here he would be most likely resting up ready for pre season here.

I think Ellis is a great realistic shout for the loose forward spot. Has more than good enough hands to be the middle link like smithies this season. Clearly got the work rate and big mins in him too. I thought he was outstanding at the back end of the season!

There’s a few options I suppose, looking forward to seeing what the club do with the 13 shirt next year!

Have we signed Knowles as you have mentioned every player we have signed or plays for us in a position that Owen may need,hope we havnt signed knowles as a replacement for Smithies as surely that is bringing in a lesser player maybe he could be the next project player we take on

OF isnt signing for Wigan

Owen Farrel is 10x the player Thompson ever was, or ever will be again.

I'm sick to my back teeth of this RL is great, RU players are bad BS.

You’re comparing apples and oranges though.

Farrell is 10x the player at what sport? Because it certainly isn’t Rugby League as he is 100% untried, untested and unproven in that sport.

At no point have I said anything along the lines of “RL is great, RU players are bad.” I’ve come absolutely nowhere even close to suggesting that.

What I have said is that I don’t see how Owen Farrell fits into Wigan’s line up for 2024, as either you have better options in some positions or he doesn’t have the skill set for others.

Do you disagree with any of that?

You're just bitter Sorry, couldn't resist..

Personally I tend to agree with this. Farrell is a great rugby player and, maybe 2 years ago with time to transition from what is essentially a different sport, I would have said a definite "yes". But I don't see the need for him now at Wigan. As you say we are well covered in all the possible positions he might play. I'd add Eckersley into the mix at centre too as he definitely needs to be getting game time this year.

That said, if he did come, I wouldn't put it past him to be a roaring success. Very much a case of Que Sera, Sera for mine.

With Shorrocks and Powell both likely to depart we will have the salary cap to strengthen further.

To be fair, I know that Welsby has had discussions with teams in the NRL. Why wouldn’t he if they are likely to quadruple his salary.

I was really looking forward to OF joining but him being back at Saracens rules it out IMO.

Agreed.

With with dad looking likely to be named Lions coach for the 2025 tour as well I’d say he will want to be involved in that too.