Life after ST will be interesting and there’ll be lots of discussion before next season. We could be in for a complete overhaul if Gildart, Sutton & Bateman follow him out of the door.

Hardaker is a better FB than Escare and should not be moved to centre to accommodate Escare.

1 - Hardaker
6- Williams
7 - new marquee
9 - Leuluai (supported by Ganson)
13 - Lockers

It seems really harsh because I really like Escare but he is only a squad player with good pace. I hope he stays but I can’t see it. Likewise with Powell. He’s not good enough to be our 7 and isn’t good enough to be our starting 9. Both decent squad players but when compared to others in their positions, they’re not as good.

I agree that looks better, but do you think it's realistic for us to sign both Hardaker and a marquee?

I'd be very pleasantly surprised if we did get a marquee 7 but I can't see it for two reasons. First I would guess it's going to be at least as expensive as paying Tomkins what the club said it would in 2019 but welched on and it doesn't want to pay that kind of money. Secondly there is Wane's misplaced faith/loyalty in/to Powell who has the 7 shirt who was given a new improved deal at the start of this season.

1. Hardaker 6.Williams 7. Woods or Sharrocks 9. Powell 14. Escare

We wont get a new Marquee will just see one of the players changed to Marquee - Bateman

1 Hardaker
6 Williams
7 Shorrocks
9 Powell/Ganson

Perhaps? How's Shorrocks progressing?

From what I've seen Salford fans aren't happy with him. I don't know how much game time he's had, but I saw someone say, "I can't believe we've got the only lad from Wigan never to have touched a rugby ball".

That said, it was on Twitter, so I shouldn't trust it too much.

I think the club have accurately assessed what his value is, as one of the three or four best Wigan players of the past decade, and have offered him that. Even Sam said it was a higher offer than he was expecting.

What I don't understand though, is Sam's insistence on going now, rather than in a few years time, when he could still afford the lifestyle while still having chance of more medals, perhaps even another MoS.
I don't think the club should have done any more than they have, to try and keep him.

So when do we get the counteractive positive news story and when can we officially call him ratboy? Not that I would BTW.

I suppose the question really is whether they don't to pay that kind of money, or don't want to pay that kind of money for S.Tomkins. I can definitely understand wanting to pay him less, given his age and the amount of time he has spent out injured/off form. They may be willing to pay more for a younger/better player with a better injury record.

I can see our back line next season being

1. Escare
2. Burgess
3. Gildart
4. Hardaker
5. Marshall
6. Williams
7. Powell

9. Ganson (TL bench back up)

I honestly don’t believe SW will switch Powell from 7 to hooker. Nor do I see Sarginson seriously contending for a centre spot.

For me personally I’d have Hardaker at FB and as already been mentioned a marquee #7 but also a new centre in place of Sarginson. Escare to continue as utility from the bench or 18th man.

Signing announced by Catalan

Here’s a quote from ‘homesick’ Tomkins when he left NZ ......

“ I never expected I would miss England and the comforts of home but it took an off-season trip back to Wigan for me to realise this is where I wanted to be “

I’ve lost all respect for this fellow