Over for the England squad announcement I think.

Funny you should say that. I saw him at the BP at Marus Bridge yesterday….

He stopped at Pizza Hut on Robin Park for his tea

Is that the new Frankie & Benny's (RIP)?

He will replace Smithies at loose forward.

Is that based off something you've heard, or what you think?

What I have heard.

Fingers crossed it comes off then. I think he'll be great for us.

Made a point of watching the England game to watch Farrell. Have to say, his distribution is outstanding. If he did come here, he would set tonnes of try's up as a ball playing 13.

His distribution is world class, as his kicking both in hand, goal kicks and drop goals. Driven to be the best. An incredible leader. Special, special talent.

With time, and in this Wigan setup, he would go very well.

I would love this to happen. It would send shockwaves through Rugby Union and be a massive boost to our sport. I just can't see it happening though.

I agree with all the above.

So its Victor Radley or Owen Farrell?

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... skOZ2HTxVg Smithies to Canberra deal expected.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... skOZ2HTxVg Smithies to Canberra deal expected.

Shame about Smithies, this year in particular he’s kicked on. He could easily have been the next Wigan captain.

I’d have loved him and KPP for 2 more years before there NRL journeys begin but not to be.

He’s won everything now. Good luck to him.

Our squad is beltin for next year anyway.

It’ll be a shame to lose the lad. I don’t think we’ll realise how important he is until he goes but it’s a great challenge for him and one I think he’ll make a success of. We’ll see how it plays out with any replacement (if there is one and it isn’t Thompson).

The report must be wrong, he's nothing more than a "Poundland Knowles". Mind you, as Knowles has gone so well over in the NRL, perhaps they think a Poundland version will go ok. Oh! Wait a minute....

I think we'll be saying the same about Powell too. To lose both Smithies and Sam in one go is slightly worrying imo, but we have just won the GF so the club can do whatever they want



Thompson and Leeming have very big boots to fill from a culture and standards POV.

Just rewatched the GF, Smithies and KPP were incredible. Could tell they wanted to go out on a high.

Will need players to step up in the work rate department which I’m sure they will. Pack still looks incredible, consider Dupree, Byrne and Havard are still so young.

Ackers signed for Leeds.

They are building a decent spine at Leeds, even more so if they bring in Croft too.

Ackers, Smith, Frawley, Croft and Miller is an improvement on what they had this year imo. The guy from Catalan and Momirovski will boost them too.

Good to see.

When they (if) sign Morgan it does sound like they didnt know that the best Morgan plays for saints and signed the poundland one instead.

Good luck Morgan in the NRL.

Its Vaeliki (sp?) all over again

This is a big loss imo, he would have been our future captain, he epitomises the club and although not the flashiest player (and probably the reason some of our fans and a lot of opposition fans don’t rate him) he’s a workhorse and improving all the time and only 22 years old!!!!!! I think he will go well over there.

I presume that we have received a transfer fee for Morgan?

A significant fee was the line in the report by Matt Shaw.