THIS.

Reading between the lines I'd say Lam sees French as a half. This is what makes sense. French has been playing 6 in over in Aus. Lam says he doesn't fully know where French fits for this season, but does for next. The obvious difference is Williams. Here for this, gone for next.

French can play wing and FB. I can imagine French coming in on the wing for this season, or covering injuries across the backline. But when the dust settles I'd put money on French as a 6.

Personally that's where I want him at Wigan. Hastings and French in the halves with Hardaker at FB with Tommy and Sam sharing the 9 position. Shorrocks and Sammut as cover.

I don't really see any room now for Escare to be honest, we seem to have depth in the positions he can play.

Nail on the head!! Marshall has been miles better than Burgess this season lmo

I don't know about 'miles better', but no so long back there were plenty of comments here about how 4 (5 with Escaré) wingers was too many, and Marshall was the favourite to be moved on. It was hard to argue with that at the time.
Now with Davies and Manfredi suffering long-term injuries, and real doubts about whether the latter will fully recover, the picture looks quite different. Marshall has shown steady improvement, whereas Burgess has looked quite ragged at times. i'm certainly not saying Marshall is the better player (and however much more improvement he has in him, Marshall's size will always be somewhat of a limiting factor) but if Burgess wants to commit to the club, well, he should be doing just that. He is international quality, but is a long way from showing it right now.

A 3 year deal for Manfredi off the back of three or four games was a strange one for me, particularly as he'd already signed a one year extension.

Specially with his injury history, Think it was a case of sign him up in case he does a Lomax at another club, Poor business imo

Dom is doing great and will be back stronger than ever

Thats great to hear for but for how long this time is the question

Good to hear Richie. Just seen him in the gym with Bevan French on the Instagram feed and he seemed to be in good shape. If anyone deserves a break, it's that lad. Fingers crossed it all goes well and, like Lomax, he can put the multiple injuries behind him. If he can, he's a dead set international.

He is like the bionic man now! He is going strong physically and from what I am told he is well ahead of standard recovery. The mental fortitude this lad has is insane, if you could bottle what he has you would be a billionaire!

Very true. How he has repeatedly battled these setbacks is an inspiration. It must have been soul destroying at times. Has there been any word on how the knees have been affected or if there'll be any effect on pace etc?

Manfredi top 2 winger in the league when fit. I rank only makinson ahead of him.

As for French. Great to have him this year.

Down to our last 2 wingers so good cover there.

Cover Zak too.

Excited to see him play

so when is Manfredi potentially back in the squad and able to play first team???

I’d be very surprised if we don’t line up with something like this next year

Hardaker
Manfredi
Hankinson
Gildart
Burgess
French
Hastings
Burgess
Powell
Flower
Greenwood
Farrell
O’Loughlin

Clark
Bullock
Clubb
Leuluai

French will be in the halves with Hardaker staying at fullback and Manfredi/Burgess/Davies/Marshall on the wings, Bibby will be backup for centre/wing, french can cover wing/fullback and Tommy can slot back into the halves if needed

Won’t be this season but I’m assuming/hoping he will be ready for the start of next. You can’t rush an ACL injury and he’s now had one in each knee. Again, I would think the club will be assessing his condition on a regular basis with the provisio that he won’t be risked until he is 100% ready. If that means March, April or beyond sobeit.

hes now had 2 in each knee