Should Leeds be interested if he expressed a desire to return to his hometown club?

Neither Aiton or Burrow look like long-term prospects, and it will take time before the kids come through to take over this important role. A bit more toughness in our pack wouldn't go amiss with Peacock and Leuluai close to retirement.

Obviously he seems happy at Wigan now, but should we be interested if he wanted to 'do a Peacock' and complete his Leeds education?

I'm gathering from the tone of your post that there may be a little bit of respect for MMc after his improved performances in big games over the last couple of seasons.

He seems to be a player that causes opposition fans to splutter into their beer. Many can't see past his lapses in discipline. Actually in the playoff games against Huddersfield, Leeds and Wire plus the derby against Saints he has got the better of so-called better props every time.

Shaun Wane has said that he is the toughest player he has ever coached.

I wouldn't want him to leave Wigan, but who knows Shaun Wane himself went to Leeds and has nothing but praise for the club. I can't see it happening over the next few years though.

By the way - I'm more than impressed with Brian McDermott. He shows class win or lose.

As I have said elsewhere, it's what McIlorum does without the ball that is most impressive, I've certainly changed my view of him. Very ordinary with it though.

not yet 2 full days since he was labelled a thug and railroaded for his aggressive play

you really couldnt make it up

There is more than one poster on this board, you know. People have different opinions shock.

1 Leeds Fan, 1 Wigan fan and a Bulls fan posted before you came all over your keyboard.

A Leeds fan & a Cas fan complementing McIlorum. I'm not sure what your typical small town response is all about.

What could leeds offer him that wigan doesn't?

Unless he has some form of falling out or wigan for some reason want/need to get rid it would never happen.

When was the last time we signed a wigan player, gary connolly 2003??

Not a player i would be too fussed about us going all out for really.Thats not to say i dont rate him, he is a good player in his own right, i just think we have much bigger priorities.

I liked what i saw from Aiton TBH before his injury and look forward to his return.Dont agree with the OP in that Aiton hasnt got long left, he is only 28 just 2 years older thatn MM and has plenty left to offer the club.

not a thug , but he is still the Burley road OAf Leeds rlfc have always preferred Milford

Mickey Mac is one of those players you love when he plays for you but would hate to play against. In many ways he is similar to Jimmy Lowes.
When they interviewed George Burgess around the World Cup time he said McIlorum was the toughest player in the squad.

He wouldn't have to live in Wigan for a start.

McIlorum is a cracking hooker, and one I'd love to have at Leeds, but I don't ever expect it will happen. Wigan are building a pack around him and will compete for honours equally as much as Leeds over the remainder of McIlorum's career so why would he ever want to come to Leeds?

David Furner was around the same time. I'm not sure who we signed first.

I said earlier elsewhere he is the type of guy we need in the first choice six pack. Roby is a fabulous hooker but too much of another gentleman that we do not need quite so much of.
Nope! If we could choose any SL hooker to complement the Leeds pack he would be my man.

He is a Ryan Bailey but with effectiveness as well as needle

Shaun Lunt for me , but that bus has already departed .

mental macca is enjoying life in wigan

I said at the time that McIlorum should have been the starting hooker for England v New Zealand in the WC with Roby on the bench. Saints and other fans ripped into me big time (nothing new there

). He is one tough kid who will die/kill for the shirt he is wearing and in big games that means a lot.
You need that type of player in your team.
btw what a great interview with Jamie Peacock yesterday, a true warrior who like Mickey Mac gives everything for the cause.

Mcllorum is a great player and I said so last season when it wasn't fashionable for Leeds fans to says so but he's not in the same class as Roby who is far superior in every facet bar aggression.

If we're playing fantasy rugby league I can't believe anybody would choose Mcllorum over Roby.

In fairness, I don't think he was saying replace, just that we should have started with Mcllorum as the interchange hooker. In view of the way the game went, I think he may have a point.

I can see RGs point but if I was the England coach I'd be bricking it trusting MM in such a big game as a WC Semi-Final. Too much of a risk for me in case he did a "Moz"

To echo G1's earlier post, he is simply nowhere near the level of James Roby. Yes he is more aggressive but so what? If that's something your pack is missing you need to take a look at your props and second row.

Some of McIlorum's previous behaviour leaves a bad taste. There's many players out there who hit hard, but don't completely lose control like he does.

In view of how the game went? We lost the game after a penalty for a head high shot, the last thing we needed was a player renowned for doing that

It is great remembering how tough RL was, especially the front row. But McIlorum's brief stints in the WC showed it has only limited effect on a world stage. Roby, Lunt & Clarke are simply miles apart with the ball.

Like has been said already, he's one of those players that every other team's fans love to hate.

Would I have him at Leeds? Don't know. I really don't know if he'd fit in with the mentality that the Leeds players have. I can see he gives everything when he plays (a little too much sometimes) but I'm not sure if he has the musketeer attitude that Leeds has been built on.

A good individual player without a doubt but I'd much sooner have Lunt or Clark as I think they'd fit the Leeds ethos much better.