Probably deserves a thread of it's own really, rather than derailing the Lockers one...

For me there isn't a ready made replacement for Lockers so I'd go with a more mobile forward there. Someone who's happy to tackle all day. Isa or Partington.

Farrell and Bateman are both very dangerous runners out wide so i think it would be an error to move either of those to the middle.

I’d agree, I like the idea of starting with a forward such as Partington/Harvard and then bringing on TL to play at loose.

I think Isa is a decent shout, he's been excellent this season.

I think Isa will keep a starting shirt, so it’s just if he’s at 11 or Bateman and then the other will drop in at 13. Willie Isa resurrected his career at Widnes playing in the middle and it’s something we’ve missed a trick on here IMO. Circumstances have probably meant we’ve not had many opportunities to do it but we should do now. I say all that, I really like Partington in there as well and then we’ve got Smithies, so there are plenty of options.

I think Isa is better in the middle. Just let him put his head down, carry the ball and hit people.

He's not the threat on the edges that Bateman, Farrell and Greenwood are and you don't get the best out of them in the middle.

Partington, Havard and Smithies are the other candidates but I'd be happy to stick with the most experienced Isa and rotate these guys with props.

I'm interested to see what they do with the 13 shirt given it's only been worn by two players in 25 years. Do they want to try and keep the prestige or just give it to Isa for example.

Also is there an obvious new captain?

Captain, Bateman or Powell for me. Farrell would be a lot of peoples choice but I don't see him as being vocal enough.

I wonder if they’ll really go in to a new era with a bang and give Bateman the 13 shirt and the captaincy. The only thing making me think Bateman may not be in the running for captaincy is that he’s yet to work under Lam. If it isn’t Bateman that it’s Sam Powell all day for me. I think it’ll take his game on another notch or two.

Sam Powell captained England Knights and would be an obvious candidate for me, but it depends what we see TLs role as. If he's a starter then he's probably captain.

Wonder if Greenwood will still be with us next year? Obviously on the outer before lockdown but he’s been steady off the bench since. Saints couldn’t handle him.

I’d give Bateman the captaincy and the number 13 shirt. But I’d play him at right second row.

Isa will do a job at loose. Him and Powell in the middle of the field will give us bags of energy in defence.

Isa, Oli P, Smithies, Havard, Farrell (with JG backrow), Bateman, even Joe Sharrocks who I have been really impressed with this year.

We’re not short of options and someone will take the opportunity I am sure.

Agree about Shorrocks he's still young but long term could be a good option at 13 good ball skills and good all round game

I'd probably give the number to Bateman so you're not putting the pressure of expectation on anyone else to be the next Lockers/Farrell. In terms of who actually plays loose I'd be looking more towards Partington or Havard depending on form. Hard to say who to give the captaincy to as I don't know most of them that well, my gut says Farrell though. One club man, never heard of him being in any off field trouble, consistent enough that you know you will want to pick him every week he is available. Other candidates I dismissed:

Leuluai - Not keen on someone being a captain for just a year.

Bateman - Off field stuff and I'm not convinced he has the right temperament for it. Sometimes you need a cool head.

Powell - I'd rather him just focus on his performances. He's had a good year but I'm not sure he's quite in the 'You will never want to drop or sell him' category.

Hardaker - Off field stuff. Also not convinced he's in the above category.

Sam Powell is the hooker. Doesn’t make sense giving him 13, I would however have him as captain tomorrow.

For me it’s got Bateman’s name written all over it

Didn't Farrell deputise as captain a good few years ago v Hull(?) and get sin-binned? Not the most auspicious start to his captain-ship

As someone said previously, Faz's not much of a talker or shouter, Bateman might not have the coolest of heads to take it on and Powell would be best concentrating on his game.

For me, I'd give it to Hardaker - yes he's had his years of being an absolute nob-jockey - but I think he's really settled down at Wigan and matured over the past few seasons, seems to be well liked and respected by other players and got bags of experience.

Faz has been captain many times I think

John Bateman is the new captain, it was in the terms of the marquee contract he signed