To be honest I've been expecting him to go after his current contract has ended for a while. IL doesn't hang around with contract extensions, especially to key players, which Tommy clearly is. The longer it went without him signing on again with us, the more likely it looked that he'd go, at least in my eyes anyway.

If he does go to Souths, with Isaac Luke already there, what a hooking rotation that would be!

He's still contracted for next season, which Tommy has said he will see out. Any contract extensions done by IL would probably be in the off season anyway.

I expect him to go at some point and as long as it's not for next season we can't complain. As already said he's achieved everything in superleague and international rugby now and all that's left is the NRL. He has been over here from a very early age as well so he may just feel the times come to get abit closer to home.

He'll go with everyone's blessing for 2013 and it gives us 18 months now to find a replacement of the right quality. We've got guys in our squad like Mellor, Powell and Logan Tomkins who can step up but if were looking outside it'll have to be a very good player to replace Tommy.

I know that. I'm just saying that IL didn't wait to tie down the likes of Sam, Joel, Mossop, Charnley etc. to long-term deals, and I'm sure he will already have offered Tommy a similar deal considering how well he's played in the last couple of seasons

Quite misleading as i think he means[i If I was a Souths player, I’d be very happy[/i as in the players that are there, rather than if he became one himself (if you know what i mean). Id be more gutted at losing Finch next season anyway, looks like IL will have his work cut out

But he says: “I hope he brings me back bro – you’ve got to ask him that question,”

and

“I’ve got another year here and I want to play that out. (After that) I’m off contract so I’m open to anything.”

Agree about Finch by the way! Losing him and Tommy would be a massive blow, hopefully Finch would be open to one more year after that

I'd be disappointed to lose Thomas Leuluai, but players aren't irreplaceable.

Can you honestly see Sam Tomkins playing at fullback all his career? No - he's a half back, and he'll be back there. There are plenty great hookers who will be coming through the ranks, and I'm sure that there will be other, more experienced hookers available if McIlorum's not ready by then.

Really don't think there's any need to panic. In any case, he says he's "open to anything" which I would hope would include a chance to stay at Wigan, especially if we're still winning trophies.

I can, didn't think so when he switched to FB but I can see him playing there for years now.

Chase in for Deacon
Logan Tomkins in for Tommy
Finch will stay.

Crisis, what crisis?

Do you think you may have missed a trick in not snapping up Jon Clarke??

1. Tomkins
2. Richards
3. Inglis
4. Tomkins
5. Charnley

6. Chase
7. Finch

8. O'Meley
9. Tomkins
10. Fielden
11. Hock
12. Hansen
13. O'loughlin

Wigan 2013...too ambitious?

I don't think Logan Tomkins would be an adequate replacement for Leuluai, and considering how important it is to have a good number 9 I think that's the biggest worry for the future. Out of McIlorum, Tomkins and Carberry I don't think any of them are likely to be good enough to be first choice hooker. Carberry as it stands has the makings of a good impact player though, provided he improves his distribution.

Sam Tomkins wasn't an adequate replacement for Tim Smith

I think this article is just Tommy highlighting how high he rates Maguire as a coach. Just because he hasn't said 'I want to sign a new contract with Wigan' doesn't mean that he won't.