Wing

Really? I thought he played rugby league, not union?

I made this point on another forum, one thing I would like Joel to continue to do, like he did at the start of the season, was to take defenders on down the outside. He's a massive lad, with a lovely fend, but what makes him so dangerous is his deceptive amount of pace. He scored/setup some brilliant tries earlier in the season when he took defenders on. He does have the aggression and strength to just power over defenders close to the line - see Hull KR try - but like I said he has pace, acceleration and a strong fend which makes him so dangerous on the outside, which I'd like to see more of. He is more than just a battering ram.

On the topic of Ryan King, a reliable poster on the other forum has said that Logan Tomkins, Sam Powell, Matt Russell, Jack Hughes, Dom Crosby and Jonny Molloy have all signed full-time too.

I'm sure he wont mind me quoting himLogan Tomkins - Chip off the old block. Fantastic attitude, workrate, toughness. Will develop later than Sam and Joel and if he had more speed he would be dynamite.

Sam Powell - Never got anything as a 16 year old. Rarely if ever played town team. Went back to St Pats Nat youth League did very well got a pay as you play deal with Wigan. Did so well he got a new deal. Astute solid kicking game control the game scrum half al a Matty Smith, Saints

Ryan King - Small, fantastic attitude, very fast, lovely runner, classy swerve

Matt Russell - The youngest here. Just turned 17. U20 player of the year having played U20s this year. Played full back as a junior but plays wing at Wigan. Fast feet, great balabce a la Jason Robinson. Regularly breaks opposition defences in and around the POTB.

Jack Hughes - Tall rangy second rower. Fast, nice hands, decent step. Potential. Going well until he got sucked into an Ainscough initiated brawl and earned an 8 match ban IIRC


Dom Crosby - Came this year, from St Pats? Big lump, classic proper prop build, done very well in the U20's

Jonny Molloy - Oldest player here. 19? St Pats player been at the club 3 years now. Footballing forward. Nice build, decent skill.'"

If all of those lads have signed full time then the coaching staff must have every faith in them and IL equally must every faith in his coaching staff to give such young players f/t contracts.

I hope each one of them get at least one game in the first team next year as will be good for them and good for us fans to see the calibre of the lads coming through.

As a sub item, given the size of the Wigan squad next year none of these players will be covered by the salary cap. Our compliment of full time players next year will be massive. About time too. Well done IL, MM & SW!

I don't.

I very impressed with Ryan King, and it wasn't just his speed but his ability to break tackles that made him so dangerous in the 9's. However he looks quite short, maybe academy followers can answer the question of what he's like in defense particularly when under the highball?

Ryan king is now 5ft9 / maybe 5ft10. and as for under the high ball . He is solid as a rock.

Thnx James.

You don't need much for a brolly.

You will to cover his melon

I played in the same high school team as him. Very reliable at fullback.


Only problem with him being 5"9 is if someone outjumps him ala Ainscough. Otherwise he's a good player.

I've never really understood this aversion to short-d wingers. When you're defending a high kick as a winger, you're generally going to be outjumped no matter how tall you are because the chasers are running towards the ball whereas you have only got a standing jump so unless you're spring-heeled Jack (or Pat Richards ) you're likely to be second to the ball anyway. Jason Robinson was only around 5'7" at the most and he's one of the greats of the modern game. Granted he was a one-off but it goes to show that being slightly shorter than average doesn't necessarily mean that you can't play on the wing.

It's more a question of temperament and being calm under pressure than basic height. Look at James Foster at Saints in the last few games. He's been solid as a rock under high kicks and he can't be much more than 5'9"

Mr chairman said the money from the league leaders prize will be re-invested in youth. MAYBE THIS IS WHAT HAS FUNDED THIS MOVE?