I keep seeing fans’ teams for next year on Twitter and they have Ellis missing out, I don’t see where they get it from, I do agree that he was our best prop in 2023. He’s the most underrated prop in the league, a few decisions in the disciplinary don’t go his way at times but we’ve had that for a number of years with Isa. Played just under an hour in the GF and played the first 36 mins, that’s some effort.

Ellis had a VERY good season, particularly the second half after his ban from the cup game.

Squad number wise, I’d like to see Havard 8 Byrne 10 Ellis 13.

Unless we sign a rugby Union player.

Agreed, Ellis was outstanding at 13 away at wire.

Yea I do see Ellis taking a starting position. He’s got great intensity in the opening spell.

Is there any news on returns for Cooper, Harvard and Byrne? Also is Thompson fit to start the season?

Cooper will be back late April.

Thompson played in the bulldogs last game so assume he’s fully fit.

Byrne I think was 8-10 weeks so he should be fine.

No idea on Havard.

With Ellis, Mago, Byrne, Dupree and to a lesser extent Eseh and Hill (not doubting ability just a lot to rely on young lads) we should be fine for the first half of the season.

Thompson can cover prop and 13 with maybe O’Neil just with question marks over the people outgoing Shorrocks and Powell

Leeming cover 9 and O’Neil possibly Rocky?

Don’t have to rush the injured back then

Just looking at that list. Ellis and Byrne as starting will be as good as any in the League. Mago and Dupree as impact props could be exactly that and more. Second row Farrell and Walters, loose Thompson.
Nsemba off the bench 2nd row and O'Neil off the bench to 9 or 13.
Some pack that is!

Still think O’Neil starts with Leeming off the bench after 25 mins.

He’s more suited to scooting and attacking fatigued players.

Possibly & that's what I'd go for too.

Isn't that what Leeming kicked off about at Leeds though? That being said, has anyone read the interview he's done with the Titans? He makes a point about saying he's the 80mins he's got as well as the 5 min stints too.

Hopefully he's changed his tune re not being a starter?

O’Neill should get the 9 shirt and the starting spot for me. I think he’s earned that over this past couple of seasons and for such a young lad, he’s showing a great level of maturity and leadership.

Leeming will know his role you’d imagine and will have said yes to the club based on that. I think we’ll see both on the field at times, with O’Neill at 13.

One thing I think we can be confident on - if Peet gets any attitude from Leeming regarding minutes he'll be heading through the exit door pretty quickly. He won't put up with any threat to the team culture.

Potentially O'Neill and Leeming could be a very good combo for Wigan but it would likely work best with Leeming coming off the bench. There's also Tom Forber waiting in the wings.

100% and like NK said, I'm sure those conversations will have been had. If we're going well, I'm sure it won't be an issue.

I’m surprised that Wigan signed Leeming, I thought we should have been promoting Forber.

It’s an interesting one.

I personally don’t think Forber is ready to be a first team regular yet but I think if he continues to be developed he may be ready in 2 years, but we will still have Leeming and O’Neil.

Forber is another that needs to be on loan to a SL club preferably.

I see the logic in his signing but for me its 2 years too long. 2 years with an option for another in the clubs favour would have been a smarter move. If he wouldnt accept that then he could have gone elsewhere