Rumour that Burgess fancies a move down under too!

It's a very short term solution.

Realistically, they're now going to have to replace 60% of their props within 2 years, and I'd be surprised if they had enough academy players to make the steup up to Peacock/Leuluai's level straight away.

They have Jay Pitts and Luke Ambler as well as the lad from Cumbria who has been a let down thus far since signing from Whitehaven. I would expect one of them to step up, although doubtful 2 will step up at the same time.

If we had signed Cross u can gurantee that people like Barrie Mcdermott and Eddie Hemmings would ahve been complainig about giving youth a chance and doing nothing for the England side by having a foreign player come in. Nevermind hes 32 next season its ok its not us so no one says a thing. Mcdermott moaned when we signed the 3 from Melbourne and they were direct replacements for overseas players. Just like Cross is for Eastwood.

I would have signed Cross no danger as he is a top class prop but would have rather use the cap space to sign a hooker first.

Cross is still a great prop, always rated him highly.

But don't forget, we've signed Lima

Not strictly true. Ainscough and Tuson would train with Wigan then go up to Cas before the game.

In tonight's Observer, IL is quoted as saying we are not looking at any new signings for 2011.

IL describes our squad for next year as "frightening" and good enough to make an all out assault on silverware.

He adds that a decision is yet to be made on KP and Phelps.

He expects Wigan to make a final each year for the next 5 years.

Looks like a new hooker is out of the question (unless our chairman is just trying to manage expectations and Slater and Ennis are done deals)

I'm concerned about us not having a specialist 9 next year. Mickey Mac stepped up in the last few games and has potential, but I don't see him as being able to step up again to the level we need just yet, and with his injury record we may be exposed for a lack of creativity. Both he and Tommy don't have a great kicking game, and as yet the new signings need to be seen to be assessed. All too often antipodean players don't live up to expectation.

I've just got a feeling IL is telling porky's

I wouldn't mind trying Farrell at 9 TBH, with the options in the second row I would like to see how he went at 9, same with Tuson.

So you'd say no?

With Roberts and Tomkins playing the way they have there then I agree.