Got two touches of the ball for Sale reserves last evening before being subbed. He has to be on the verge of jumping back into RL otherwise he's going to rot in reserve grade RU. Money isn't everything , get yourself back to League lad

Money isn't everything? Why did he go in the first place?

I doubt it'll be back to Wigan but you'd have to think he'll come back before too long. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in a Salford or Warrington shirt come 2018. If he fancies a change of scenne I'm sure Toronto would love a player if that profile as well.

He wanted to be the big celebrity but looks like it's gone tit's up for him

Like it does for so many of them.

I wonder how many actual successes there have been?

Jason Robinson, I suppose. Chris Ashton.

Faz went on to do big things as a coach, if not a player ... until they decided they needed they needed an ex-RL scapegoat for their innate amateurism.

The list of those who've not just failed, but actually come back much worse players, is longer. Just off the top of my head: Henry Paul, Karl Pryce, Iestyn Harris, Lee Smith, Joel Tomkins ...

I'm sure the money is good (though I still wonder how the likes of Sale can offer massive cash inducements). But as others have said, the money isn't too bad for big names in RL either. They must have very persuasive agents (who obviously want the player merry-go-round to keep going!), to ignore those who've failed and take a big chance themselves.

I suppose Josh was always likely to defect. He seemed to be a player whose enthusiasm for sport waxed and waned from one year to the next. For that reason as well, I doubt we'll see him at Wigan again.

Shaun Edwards hasn't done too badly as a coach either.

Yeah, but I'm really talking about guys who went over while they were still playing.

I would question the club's handling of him as despite him being a brilliant player for us (Wigan's highlights from 2011-2016 looks in part like a Charnley promo video) he always seemed lacking in confidence deep down. He always seemed to be the first one dropped or criticised when he really needed an arm round him. As soon as he was leaving Wane heaped praise, if this was done a little earlier he would't have defected and could have gone on to be a legend.

I'm not sure I'd call Harris, Paul and Tomkins failures in the same light as Charnley. They all got capped (rightly or wrongly) and were regular first teamers. Charnley isn't even that.

And yet South Sea Islanders seem to make the change at will.

I'm more than sure he will be at Salford next year wearing the #2 and a marquee signing so the pay decrease won't be so significant.

Didn't Stevo once complain that capping these players was built into in their contracts, which was part of the attraction to them?

Regardless of that, none of those I mentioned came back looking the part. Makes me wonder what standard they'd been used to in Union, whether in the first team or not.

Josh was renting a house in Adlington which he rented from Wigan RL. Aside from the much more lucrative contact from Sale he also got a brand new BMW 4 wheel drive car bought for him and i am sure a house too. Those 2 sweeteners would be enough for me on their own. No mortgage and brand new wheels. Security. Don't blame the lad for going but no room here any more. He will end up at Salford no doubt where his career will ebb away and finish at Oldham/Swinton etc.

But, but, but they go for "the challenge" don't they ?

I dont blame anyone going over its a short career for them but very few make the grade but im surprised at Josh's inability to even get a game.

In front of 1,400 fans.

Solomona has done slightly better. But he scored 42 tries for Cas last season, I doubt if he has actually received 42 passes this season.

more a reflection of the support for Rugby League in Manchester

salford not manchetser

I always suspect that you have to do extra-well as a League convert to 'make the grade' in Union. There'll be lots of people - die-hard old Unionites and others who perhaps are jealous of the money you're on, etc - who'll be looking for you to fail.

And if you're someone like Josh, who - love him though we did - blows hot and cold as a player depending on his mood, that might not work out.

Well seeing as he is still in the same house and he bought the BMW 4x4 your wrong on both counts im afraid.

Like i said i didnt know whether he has been given a house or not but when he announced he was going to Sale the house went on the market. The 4x4 i was told was the sweetener from someone fairly close so unless you are Josh or one of his mates (which i suspect you are) then i will take your word for it. And if you ARE Josh then take some advice. Agree a severance deal with Sale and get your out of there if you want to be a rugby player.

This just shows the gap in skill sets between rugby and rugby league

Regards

King James

Josh started his first game of the season and scored a try last night. I personally hope he is a success over in union,if he does come back to league we won't hold any intrest as we are already over loaded at winger and I would hate to see him scoring tries for someone else.

Personally, I'd rather see good players in League than in Union.

But playing in the other code seems to have such a nullifying effect on their basic rugby skill-sets, not to mention their fitness, aggression etc, that I can't help but think RL would only see a shadow of what he once was if he returned. For that reason, if no other, I wouldn't want Wigan to go anywhere near him.

Maybe it would be better for all concerned, if he stayed over there, where his decline won't be noticed and he can keep on cashing fat pay-cheques.