I think there's some truth in this, but then again Smith (who I rate enormously) has been playing behind a dominant pack for the most part, something which Williams didn't always have when he was here and something he didn't have at Wembley. That said, the last tackle players were awful so both he and Drinkwater need to take responsibility for that.

He's still a very, very productive player, even on the days when he doesn't take the game by the scruff of the neck. I think you're right that we haven't really missed him because French and Smith have been so great as a partnership, but I think Williams is the one player in the division who you could at least make a case for getting into our best team just now at 6 or 7.

I've got no argument with that overall. But my memories of him at Wigan are equal parts admiration and frustration. He seemed to make an artform of the Hail Mary kick. It was nearly always his first option, and while the one in every four or five that hit paydirt would look amazing, the rest were often poor ends to sets. I remember a Test match commentator - Ton Rea? - criticising him for this very same thing. I also remember thinking that George had totally disappeared in games where we were having it tough. I certainly don't recall any performances for Wigan that were on a par with those we saw at Canberra, which to me indicates an attitude issue.

Would he get in the current Wigan side? Yes, because I think he'd be aware that he'd need to raise his game, and when he does that, he is genuinely very good. But I still don't really understand the reputation he enjoys.

At Warrington I think he is having to do a bit of everything because the halves lack defined roles.

Wigan have 2 halves with an identity and clear job roles.

Smith is the organiser, French in the strike runner/floating partner.

I think if you give Williams either of those roles in isolation his overall impact improves because I believe he can do both very well, but not both at the same time.

At the Raiders he seemed to be asked to play mainly the role of the strike half and he was very good on that capacity, probably played his best rugby.

At Wire I think his impact is being diluted.

I agree. I also think that Smith/Williams would be perfect for England (if and when they ever play a meaningful Test match again)

This isn’t a bitter post rewriting history because I said it when he was with when we’d go in to big finals and that is that Williams was due a final that he made his and made a huge contribution in. It never came for us and it didn’t come on Saturday either. He’s the polar opposite of somebody like Danny Maguire during his playing career, who produced moments all season but had quiet spells as well but when a final came, it was top class performance after top class performance. Williams doesn’t seem to have the character to really grip big games. In his defence Wire were poor on Saturday, so it’s not easy.

Seems like there are plenty of excuses being thrown the way of old Georgie boy. I'm not sure why he gets so much leeway?

At what point, does some of it actually fall on his shoulders or be within his remit to change/influence? He's been at Wire for three years now and hasn't done anything of note. In fact they almost got relegated in 2022.

People can point to the coach, but Wire have a good side & he's the captain and highest paid player in the league too. They have to do better as a side and he needs to be leading that.

Think people are being harsh on Williams. Had he and French swapped sides on Saturday wed have had the same result with Williams probably taking the Lance Todd. His forwards were beaten all ends up and its impossible to dominate a final in that outcome.

2 years ago when our pack wasnt dominating games Harry Smith was getting absolutely destroyed (by some of our fans not just opposition) it's a tough job playing in the halves behind a beaten pack

With Sam Burgess in charge I'm sure his recruitment will be to make his pack more of a force. They were totally bossed on Saturday which reflected on the whole team's performance as Wigan put them under pressure from five minutes into the game.

Should he recruit bigger and better players and his pack match up then George Williams will have a more open field in which to operate. SB and his coaching staff will be on it right now I'll bet. No one knows better then SB the importance of a dominant pack in affecting the result of a rugby game.

David Armstrong is a hell of a signing for Leigh.

We've been on the back foot against saints in the past and Penrith this year and it's harry smith and his kicking game that kept us in the game. I don't think Williams could do that. But isn't the threat that Williams is.

I think the pack thing is a bit of an excuse. They had the chance to end sets better and almost never did.

He's looked ideally suited for Superleague from the bits I've seen and should be a huge threat for them. Lams record of picking fringe players up from the NRL is fantastic and this guy could be the next success story.

I agree with that but was that not Drinkwater's job? If Smith wasn't playing could French have done it? I would say Williams job is to attack the line with Drinkwater controlling the game and doing that behind a beaten pack is nigh on impossible

Amazed that Leigh have managed to sign Armstrong. He's been brilliant standing in at FB for Newcastle and I thought they had been unlucky and missed their chance as he was sure to agree a NRL contract. They must have thrown a fair chunk of money at him - I do wonder if the prospect of going back to playing 2nd choice to Ponga was a deciding factor though.

As said above, Lam has been great at spotting talent on the outside of NRL 1st teams. It didn't work out the best as coach here but we have sure benefited from him bringing Bevan and Jai into the team.

I agree. That's why I said, 'most' sides.

Reports are circulating that Wakefield Trinity are on the verge on signing John Bateman on a three year deal 2025-2028.
Huge signing for Daryl Powell if true.