Eseh and Chan have to prove themselves in 2025 so the off season will be vital for both of them.
Can't see Byrne going anywhere as the bench props were so important to the success of 2024.
Prop is the most attritional position and therefore with injuries and suspensions having a significant number of quality props is essential.
Starting with Havard and Thompson in every match next season won't happen. We therefore need any number of props to get us through those times without a drop in intensity.

I agree, next season gives us a fantastic chance to win the treble. We will have some minor disruption to our season with the Vegas trip. Of course it's impossible for the same 17 players to retain the same intensity week on week (as seen last season with our disastrous performances against Leeds and Hull FC). Plus add in injuries then it's imperative we have good squad cover.

We saw Forber, Farrimond and Eckersley step up this year (I view Hill as already part of the mix). Who might be added to that next year?

It'll likely just be a continuation of guys who've already made debuts IMO. I think the rest are a little way behind currently, with them being younger and I think it'll then be 2026 when we start to see guys like Hodkinson, Kerr and Mason. You never know I guess but it'll take a bit of an injury crisis to see much of those guys next season.

2025 will be the year for guys like Eseh, Douglas, Farrimond and co to try and kick on.

Cheers Jonh.
You would think if anyone knew him it would be Brad Arthur.
We might have to wait another few years for our rebuild otherwise!

I thinking in year one he probs my will look interested beyond that may be an issue especially if Arthur goes to the new franchise as expected in 2026.

I think you will also be sharing his salary in year 1, think year 2 & 3 you will be carrying the full burden.

He will provide good entertainment I’ve no doubt though so look forward to watching him in SL.

You could say the same about Bevan French! I would have loved to have heard the brief convo between them at the end of the Leeds match.

FC are pushing for Byrne. He wants a big contract if he’s going over there.

I’m sure they’ll have the money spare. I personally wouldn’t want him to leave, Hills probs the next in line but is he ready to play a full season

This would be a fantastic signing for us. He's exactly what we need but as you say, would have to be a big contract if to tempt him to move over the pennines.

With new investment likely to be announced today (possible at the forum tonight), I think they need a signing to announce alongside it. Byrne would fit the bill of what we are still lacking

I hope we keep him but I would be interested to see how Byrne would go at a club like Hull. At his best, he is exactly what they need but he isn't at his best enough and it really could go either way. He could realise he needs to lead the way and find that intensity in his game every single week or he could become really comfortable and just drift through full seasons, much in the same way as he drifts through 'parts' of the season here.

It feels pretty simple from our POV. If we have the cap space to keep him, then he stays unless Hull offer up a transfer fee that would be too good to turn down. There is no way I'd be allowing him to walk for nothing unless we need the cap room.

Byrne is the type of player that if he was to leave, we will probably look back in 3 years time saying we should of kept hold off him. But we are stacked with props and if he gets offered a generous deal at Hull, you cant blame him for leaving or the club for accepting a deal. There is definitely a player there as we saw towards the back end of the season so its a tough situation to be in with him.

I'd be disappointed if Byrne leaves.
We have already lost Cooper for 2025. This gives us 5 match day props in Havard, Thompson, Byrne, Mago and Dupree.
After those five we have Walters who can play prop plus Eseh and Chan neither are proven props at Wigan.
Given the attritional nature of props the instances of injury and suspension are almost a given during such a long season.
Surely we can't let one of our five front line props leave as this will mean we be short of experience in that position.
Don't know what his contract situation is but I hope Liam stays for many seasons to come.

You've missed out Harvie Hill who I suspect is earmarked for a big pre-season and hopefully a big 2025. That being said - I agree - I don't think now is the best time to be releasing Liam Byrne. He was solid towards the back end - consistency has always been the issue for him. Let's see how he goes in the final year of his contract.