From a selfish point of view I'd like to keep him - he was really useful to have in reserve this year and there's every chance that we'll have to call on him next year too for a handful of games.

If I were him though and I was given the chance to get a proper run as a first teamer at a good club, I'd probably take it. Even if this is Isa's last run and we can't look too far in the future for Farrell, we still have two second rowers who are younger than him and ahead of him. Maybe there could be a role for him as a ball playing 13 now that Smithies seems to be gone, but that doesn't seem to be the direction that we're going in.

That will be fixed when necessary. It would allow the club to recruit a non-federation player with experience to fill the gap.

Seems to me there's a transition in place.
With Farrell & Isa senior 2nd rows. Walters, Nsemba & Shorrocks.
The club could always bring in an NRL 2nd row.

Or get Smithies back in a few years.

No, once you've gone your gone, there is no return

Smithies more suited to playing 13 than second row.

He doesn’t have the speed or evasiveness that would make him a second rower in the ilk of Farrell.

We will miss Faz when he eventually decides to call it a day. One of the most consistent players I’ve seen at Wigan in the last 20 years. He has made every six outside of him look brilliant with the lines he runs.

Didn't realise he was 33. His current contract to the end of 2025 may be his last one then.

I shudder to think of the day he calls it quits. The guy is a machine and even though he seems to have been getting more of a billing across the game in recent years, than he did a few years back, I still think he’s well underrated.

On the plus side, the guys that fit I think he could play until he’s 37/38 if he wants to, so we’ve got time to get the succession plans in place.

Tonight's the night

IYKYK

Just been a dream, local lad, played in the academy, took to the first team like a duck to water, won loads of GFs, will retire a one club man.

We need more Liam Farrell’s

Wally Lewis ?

Ultimate professional and the only player out the current team I am very worried about losing

I’m a saddo with Faz, he’s my joint favourite ever player along with Terry Newton. They share in common the fact they’re just Wiganers through and through. I think we saw with Newton that he wasn’t quite the same player away from Wigan and I think Faz would be much the same. He’s been an absolute dream as you said and it’ll be a long while before we see that like again.

So now the RU World Cup is over and no announcement been made are we putting the Farrell rumour in the bin ?

You’d image he would need to be in Wigan for the photo opportunity. if so he’d need to come home from France. Also, no point announcing it on the day of the final or a Sunday.

The new kit and squad numbers should be out by 1st Dec and I'd imagine we'd know by then.
I can't see him having a squad number more than the number 13. If he signs great, if he doesn't we will still have a very good pack of forwards indeed. Best for years.

The rumour that bothers me more than Owen F are replies on here that Liam Byrne may leave - be released. That would be about as mad as mad could be. Anyone know if there's any truth behind this are is just scribbling for the sake of it?

Byrne leaving ? Surely not.

I can only see Byrne leaving if he wants out or there has been an issue between him and Peet/the club

Would make no sense whatsoever to move him on for another player

Can't think of a team in the league that wouldn't want Byrne, fed trained, huge and just coming into his prime, shocker if there's any truth in this

Where has this rumour come from?

No chance of Wigan letting Byrne go.

Just scribbling then. Thanks!

The first I have heard of it and I frequent these forum regularly (particularly this thread). The only rumours I have heard for outgoings are Smithies to Canberra (that’s as good as confirmed), Field to Catalans (believe they made a play for him but it’s not happening) Powell to Salford (after the GF he admitted he’s surplus to requirement) and I have also heard Hill isn’t happy with his situation, although not a credible source. Think we may look to move players off on loan, Eseh, Hill and Chan potentially as we seem over manned in the pack.

I am hoping the club waits until after preseason to make decisions about loan agreements. Players can develop over a short period of time and they should be selected on merit. Every player should be given the same opportunity to make the starting 17 irrespective of experience.