Why is that? Wire's profile and status in the game is the best it's been in my lifetime and you have a rich owner, can you not work with the amateur clubs and schools more?

This has been the real positive of licencing and a 14 ream league. Plenty youngsters have been given a chance in the first team. This is because the risk of finishing bottom isn't a real problem, there are fewer top class players available per team, and there are more dead rubber games where coaches will rest senior players. Any changes to the league structure could see these opportunities for young players drying up. There's no doubt that changes need to be made, but I think it will hinder the chances if the next generation if we scrap licencing

MoM tonight

Once again great going forward but very poor on kick defence. It did not cost them tonight.

I am more than comfortable with Bowen and Hampshire next year.

We do our best and have made big strides. But you can't create in a handful of years, the rugby culture, volume of clubs and coaches and families who have had RL in their blood for generations that Wigan have got. That history and culture has been built over decades. Same in a way with Leeds and even the West Yorkshire areas like Wakey and Cas where they are real true rugby league areas.

Warrington is one of those towns where rugby league is played, its not really a rugby league town. It's much easier for us to spend a bit of money at first team level, get the right coaches and players in and be able to compete toe to toe with Wigan for trophies than it is to replicate Wigan's depth of junior rugby....we got the first team up to scratch in a few years but it will take decades to catch up with Wigan's junior rugby.

First and foremost a fullback needs to be solid in defence, to me anyway. Nowadays people seem to overlook this basic principal if the guy can chime into the line in attack. It's just another position where the fundamentals are changing.

Wingers aren't slight little speedsters anymore, more like second rowers, props don't prop up anything at the scrum, hookers don't hook the ball, scrum halves don't feed the scrum, and now fullbacks need to be a second stand off, good defence is a bonus.

And Hardaker

We now know why they signed him, Ratchford to replace Briers who has retired.

Good luck to Briers.....If only Wigan had Ratchford the Wires would be in a real crisis right now

Interesting to see how Wire will go next year,

No Morley, Hodgson or Briers. Massive pressure for Russell, Ratchford and Hill.

Big losses

www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... number-one Russell given number 1 shirt at Wire

www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... number-one Russell given number 1 shirt at Wire

Quote: [Gareth] ""www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9024991/russell-is-number-one Russell given number 1 shirt at Wire'" Well according to this... www.foxsports.com.au/league/worl ... 6758266248 They think Matty Russell is still at the Titans

Quote: [Gareth] ""www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9024991/russell-is-number-one Russell given number 1 shirt at Wire'" Well according to this... www.foxsports.com.au/league/worl ... 6758266248 They think Matty Russell is still at the Titans