I don't know are the people suggesting playing a out and out LF like Lockers at HB having a joke? You wanna potentially go to Wembley against Wire with Lockers and Finch as the HB's? That's a joke

Are the people suggesting bringing back a player like Mellor who is neither good enough or really wanted at Wigan having a joke as well?

The biggest joke I've heard on here is paying a fee for Smith to bring him early when he can't play in the cup and once Tommy returns in 10 weeks he'll be sat in the stands. That's well worth the money for 7 or eight meaningless games against Widnes, Bradford, Wakefield, London, Castleford and Hull!!

You really think that using players that are actually part of our squad, that have actually been included among the top 25 players in the team for this season is as ridiculous as suggesting signing players like Orford, who wasn't very good at Bradford and hasn't even played in months, or bringing back Paul Deacon who hasn't played since last season and was struggling even then.

What planet are you on? O'Loughlin has already played at stand off for Wigan countless times so of course that's a sensible option. He played there at the start of last season when we needed someone to fill in. And Mellor was clearly seen as good enough to be part of the squad when he was picked to start against Widnes, or when he was picked on the bench against Salford, or when he was included among the top 25 players going into this season.

Is the idea of playing one of two players who have already played in the halves before during this season really such an outrageous suggestion? More outrageous than the ridiculous notions of panic buying a player we are linked with, or signing players who haven't played in months and were past their best even then?

Richard Myler is not cup tied.

If he wasn't really wanted, he'd have been allowed to leave permanently, not just loaned. He deserves a few games playing behind our pack rather than one that's always second best, to see how much of his pre-injury talent is still there.

Give him the next three fairly easy games, if he doesn't impress we can use another option v Leeds.

How good is Hampshire going to be?,I keep hearing on here that him and Williams will be the halfback pairing for years if they keep on developing as they have been.
For the Widnes match put Hampshire on the bench and see how he goes,he may surprise people.

Alex Murphy ,Andy Gregory,Shaun Edwards and others where playing first team Rugby at 16/17 and they did not get the protection from Refs that they get now.
Radical I know but it could surprise people.

Against Widnes if we get a good lead and the pack is dominating I'd definately have one of these 2 on the bench to play 15-20 mins at the end

I think playing one of Williams or Hampshire is a risk that simply doesn't need to be taken. They've only had a handful of games for the under 20's and were playing in the under 16's last year. We're not in a position where we have to take risks so I can't see them being called upon.

Having said that, of the two Hampshire looks the better prospect at the moment and would be the best bet out of the two as his running game is better, and if you stick a young player into the halves it's best to have them playing a simple running game rather than trying to organise or dictate play.

And to meet the salary cap he pays at the turnstiles to watch himself play. Simples!

Interesting to see myler at wire isnt getting a run

Apparently he hasn't been considered for selection ever since he tore his abductor and then had a hernia operation. Very interesting.

Just spotted Brett Kenny in a pie shop in Wigan, apparently he's going to be replacing Tommy for the rest of the season.

He must have broken in then..................Do we really want that kind of person at Wigan?

What sort of pie was he after?

chunky roo and wallaby

I wonder if Wane will risk them before the end of the season. The U18's touring team to Australia gets picked next week and I think leaves in early July. They will be away for around three or four weeks so it'll probably be August before either Hampshire or Williams are available (I'm assuming they make the tour squad and will be very surprised if they don't)

Hampshire really looks a class player, pace, evasiveness, good organiser and an excellent goalkicker, but at 17 it would be huge step up.

Williams is a little further ahead physically. I'm not sure yet if he will be a 7 or 9 but he looks a very good prospect.

I think they along with Burgess may get a game in the nines at Orrell on Tuesday (5 p.m. kick off)

Hampshire really looks a class player, pace, evasiveness, good organiser and an excellent goalkicker, but at 17 it would be huge step up.

I hadn't realised about the under 19s being picked for Australia next week,if Wane decided to give him a bit of game time against Widnes he may feel that he is torn between two stools. By that I mean having the chance of game time in Wigans first team and the chance of a lifetime trip to Aus to play against his own age group.
Maybe it would be better to let the lad go to Aus and let him develop at his own pace,but this is all hypothetical any way.