SHAUN Wane has bolstered his front-row – with a member of his coaching staff!

Jordan James has come out of retirement to take up a one-year playing deal for the upcoming season.

The Welsh international – a former Royal Marine Commando – previously played for Wigan in 2006. He had taken up a development role with the Warriors, but will now make his ‘second debut’ in Sunday’s friendly, at Workington.

Wane said: “He had the bottle to come into my office and ask for a chance.

“He’s killed it in training. I watched him during the World Cup, he was one of Wales’ best middles with Ben Flower, and I think he’ll add quality and experience.

“Within days of him joining Wigan as a coach, I sensed that he had more to offer. After discussing the opportunity of him playing for us with Kris Radlinski, I was convinced he could do a job for us for a season.”

James, who made six Wigan appearances in ‘06, has now delayed his move into coaching Welsh prospects.

“This is an amazing opportunity for me to finish my playing career with Wigan,” said the 33-year-old, who will wear squad No.28. “I have been training with the boys and really enjoyed it and I am delighted to have been offered a contract.”

Wane had been seeking prop reinforcements. A move for Huddersfield’s Larne Patrick collapsed after they demanded a transfer fee thought to be around £200,000.

Chairman Ian Lenagan said: “There is an element of romance attached to a player finishing his career with Wigan, in a similar way that Paul Deacon did with us before moving on to coaching. We believe that it will be a great story for Jordan”.

Not good enough to get anywhere near our team

Surely he must be, or they wouldn't have bothered. It's not like they won't know how good he is, considering Harris coached him for Wales and he's been training all pre-season. I can't see him making the best 17 but I suppose he might be handy if we pick up a coupe of injuries

Clever signing in my opinion. He is better than Powell and Lauaki and can just cover injury. What do we have to lose?

Might be useful in the early rounds as we juggle the World Club challenge.

Will do a better job than Lauaki for definite , who I was surprised you signed in the first place.

An experienced whole-hearted player - not a bad backup player to have if needed. I suspect he won't play a lot of games (unless we have a bad run of injuries) but at least he will provide cover - a no lose option really.

He's no larne patrick, but if needs must

definitely an astute piece of business by the club.
Yes, he may not be the Sonny Bill Williams or Sam Burgess of this world but if James puts in the same effort as he did in 06, where I thought he was unlucky not to be kept on as he was one of our better players in a dire year, he will be a good squad player. Someone who is not going to demand a massive salary also. We should still have some movement under the cap so I wouldn't be surprised to see another forward come in!

This team under Wayne is based on unity, hard work, toughness and commitment.

Whilst he may not be a super star he certainly has those attributes.

I expect him to be a cameo figure in out match day 17, featuring rarely or he could also become a first team regular due to the attributes listed above.

I agree with that you say with regards to unity, hard work, toughness and commitment jonh but you can only get so far with that.

There has to be an element of talent in there. I have to be totally honest and say I'm disappointed that we have signed Jordan James again. He wasn't good enough for Salford last season when they were languishing around the bottom so how he is good enough for a title winning team is beyond me.

I am willing to support him 100% though and I am hopeful that I will be proved wrong. It'll just take some convincing IMHO.

Building two teams, so top players can be rested and we can still field a team which can compete with the times from the lower end of the table.

Team 1

Bowen
Charnley Goulding Thornley Gelling
Green Smith
Flower McM Taylor
Pettybourne Faz
Lockers

Hampshire
Manfredi Thornley/Gelling AN Other Sarge Burgess
Williams Powell
James Tomkins Dudson
Clubb Hughes
Hopkins

With lots others to pick from.

Personally I think Sarge and Burgess will make their way into the first team this season. I also think we'll see Bowen rested allowing Hampshire some game time, I see him as our first choice FB in 2015.

Same here. This signing smacks of desperation with the exit of Lauaki and Powell leaving us short of experienced props.

It also highlights the madness of selling Hansen.

Baggsy having him as a scape goat for this season.