Looking to the future the older players will be replaced by younger guys. Smith is the oldest half back we have so will probably be first out the door. The thought of Hampshire, Sam and Williams in the same team is mouth-watering. It would terrify the opposition.

A complication is the length of existing contracts as I'm sure both Smith and Powell recently signed 4 year deals.

I can see us doing a Chelsea, with good prospects on loan all over the place.

Bateman will play 13 when Lockers retires.

So I take it no-one knows whether Hampshire is contracted to the end of 2015 or 2016. Can anyone confirm?

End of 2016 with a further 1 year option for 2017 in Wigans favour.

That's excellent news! Thank you Rogues.

Thanks for this reassuring news, Rogues. So many of us have been concerned that Rocky might be able to leave at the end of the year. Just out of interest, does it state anywhere when all the players' contracts expire - or do you just have to be in the know like your good self?

Another year and an option of a further year in the clubs favour does not mean much in the modern game, it just means that the club has more chance of a good fee for a player if he wants to move if he is unhappy.
I have not said he is unhappy but if someone came in for him the club have the negotiating power if need be.

Let's hope IL and Rads offer him an extended contract in the next 6 - 9 months. Williams's initial contract was to run till October 2105 and they gave him a new 4 year contract before the start of this season, ie when his old contract still had a year to run. Rocky was given 4 years (in contrast to Williams's 3 in October 2012), so if there is any consistency they will get it all sorted before he enters the final year of his current contract and thus ward off any potential suitors.
I am confident that IL and Co. know what they are doing - but for us supporters it would be nice to know sooner rather than later.

I like Williams as a player but surely that's a Tad too long for a contract?

I'd prefer Sam to come back and play 6. Even if he does play full back we need cover for him.
Hampshire is that cover. The guy's so talented I just can't see them letting him go.
Our attack is now so fluent that Ryan's coming ino the line it seems odd that anyone should take his place.
For me every day of the week it's Sam at 6 and Hampshire with the 1 shirt next year.