Six of those still qualify at U19 level. Some will be on dual reg at South Wales, some on loan Leigh., but you must admit it does look a strong squad. I have a sad feeling we won't see Lauaki back at Wigan.

No offence but I couldn't give a hoots about Wigan's squad and how strong a Wigan fan thinks it is!

Come on, read that again and see how daft it looks. Since when was 17 players enough to get through a season? Ratchford had been out of the top 17 numbers until now yet he seems to have played plenty of games! GOB will get his chance.

He's often been deputy for the ageing Hodge and Briers, I'm assuming barring injury Russell/Ratch/Myler won't have as many games out. Ratch can also cover centre (where Bridgey has been in patchy form/injured pretty much since Ratch arrived) whereas Gaz is limited to 6 and 7. He will play every now and again but there's no long term vacancy for him and he won't want to hang around being a backup for his whole career.

Disagree with putting Russell in at 1 instead of Ratch, and disagree with Ratch being put at 6 over GOB, further denting his confidence in my book. He's been here for about 3 years now and even with Briers gone he still can't get a break. Kev Penny is at 24, he has to work from the bottom, up, Russell should have to do the same. But I'll begrudgingly be proved wrong if it turns out to be the right decision, but we really do need to keep or cast out GOB.

I can understand how you feel about Ratch, but if you think about it, this has occurred because of the unplanned and sudden departure of Briers. TS has decided in the absence of a recruit, to plug the gap with Ratch and move Russel to FB. You would have to say that on current showing, Ratch could hardly be left out of the team at the expense of GOB, surely ? And the only other options for FB are Riley and Evans. I am a big supporter of the younger players but could certainly not argue against the logic of the current 24.

Meanwhile, the current first pick positions will only last for the first few matches. After that, form and injuries will dictate that the best man for the position will play there ( in key matches ). And I suspect that GOB will get a lengthy run at 6, because this will probably be his last season to demonstrate he has what it takes. That may or may not seem fair, but by the end of the season, the only thing occupying the minds of the coach and fans will be silverware. Any individual player will always be sacrificed for the benefit of the team.

Very well put. The squad numbers are an indication of the team TS would expect to play a game now with, if everyone was fit, and I wouldn't argue with them.

Rhys Evans will be an important squad member as there are few others who can cover the fullback, centre and wing positions. Hope he stays fit.

For most of last season, certainly from Magic Weekend on, our bench consisted of 8,9,10 plus ANOther.

Its a good young squad, if they click we could be a threat.

Wigan lost a load then somehow won the double with a weaker team so anything can happen.

After two Grand Final loses I think we needed a few new faces and a fresh start, be good if we could work the magic again and land a big signing.

I wouldn't exactly call 7 over 30s young.

I agree with the earlier comment about it being similar to Wigan this past season where others underestimate the team based on the players that have left. I'd assume there's still cap room for you to bring in a Full Back or Half Back. (Expect the Eastmond rumours to fly)

No Danny Bridge ??

TS was talking him up towards the back end of last season, anyone got any idea why he's not got a squad number?

I liked the look of him when he's played games for us.

No captain named as yet. I suspect that the club will go down the experienced route and pick a captain team such as Mickey Higham, Mick Monaghan & Trent Waterhouse.