I was told about the Scottish RU role a couple of weeks ago from a guy who used to work for the club but I dismissed it as perhaps his old colleagues winding him up when he asked for some gossip.
If he makes a few bob out of it good luck to the lad.
I just wish he was taking the England RL coaching job. We might see some proper test matches then.

Mixed feelings on this personally, but ultimately I do think the time has come for someone new to come in.

We will be rebuilding the squad and hopefully whoever is going to take over is already part of that process.

NRL would be my preferred hunting ground, but it would be interesting to see Edwards have a crack at it.

I agree with this. Be interesting to see fresh ideas injected into our setup.

NRL would be preferable but look at recent acquisitions by other clubs. Holbrook has reinvigorated Saints (having Barba helps but they're clearly playing better than last year) or Price who for me hasn't really done much about Wire. Better than last year but not great.

Think John Winder may end up in charge for the 2019 season. Other option Wayne Bennett.............especially with Broncos looking for a change for 2019 with Craig Bellamy moving to Suncorp.

I ideally would like Shaun Edwards to join after 2019 Rugby Union World Cup (September) for the start of 2020 season with SoL and TL apart of the coaching setup.

NRL assistant is a short term fix for 1 or 2 years max as they will always want to go back to NRL.

Get back under your bridge...

Shall we start calling Catalans "Wigan in exile?"

David Furner

Given that IL said SW wants to try himself on a different stage I'm not expecting him to stay in SL personally. I was unaware of the Scots RU rumour but that does seem to fit the bill IMO.

Now now, just because your season's over

Hopefully whoever comes in as replacement will have the skills to maintain the squads unity and spirit, keep the youth system production line functioning smoothly and also have the man-management skills to be able keep Hardaker on the straight and narrow.

I'm asking for minor miracles obviously, but in IL and KR we trust!

There are enough exiles around SL for us to change the names of a few teams. We can play against Wigalan, Wignes and Wigginton.

I think we're going to have a very motivated squad for the rest of the season.

Throw away line in the guardian last week about an England RU halfback returning to the game of his roots in 2019 and it would make back page news.

Well I never saw that coming.

With the improved performances this year and the side obviously going to be in contention (unless the wheels come off big time) at the end of the season I was resigned to Wane being here another year even if we don't win anything.

I'd love to know what has motivated him to leave.

That said I think he has made smart move. If he waited until things didn't go well and he got sacked I think he was in danger of being viewed as a one club man and that would not make him an attractive proposition to another top club. He could have gone the same way as his mate Cunningham or worse like G West and have been out of the game completely.

With rumours of Bateman and Sutton off, with Lockers playing less and less, Tommy another year older and Sam T gone maybe despite Hardaker signing he thinks next year will be a lot tougher and if he goes this year he can leave on a high. I can't say I'd fault his logic if so. Hardaker could screw up before he even gets here going of past records and he's not Sam T in terms of his RL brain anyway. Bateman and Sutton would be a loss. So if Wane knows what next years side will be and he's not happy with it better leave now than later.

Where he ends up will be interesting. If he's off to the NRL then he's made the absolute maximum he can out of being Wigan coach in terms of his coaching credentials. I don't think it will take long for them to find him out as one dimensional though. It can win stuff here but I doubt it will work in the NRL. If he goes to Les Cats he will improve them no doubt, making them harder to beat but ultimately I think you will just see Wigan MkII in terms of style of play and I don't think that will keep him in the job long term. The one thing he will have there if he does go to them is no shortage of funds. I doubt they would have not taken the option up on Sam T so he may end up with better players to work with than IL will provide.

Strange as though it may seem given my well known views on Wane he's gone up in my estimation by resigning! He's not sat about clinging onto the Wigan job for dear life but has backed himself to success elsewhere. It may have been made easier if he knows what next years squad is like and he isn't happy but even if so, he's not sat about waiting for the wheels to come off.

The focus now switched to IL and who he appoints. It also brings into focus the recruitment and squad for next year. The new coach could well inherit an inferior team so if other players do leave besides Sam T it's up to IL and Rad's to make sure that doesn't happen or any new coach's honeymoon period won't last long and Wane's decision to leave will have been proved smart.

Paul Deacon