Did he not get quite badly injured in 2014 in a CC game away at one of the lower division sides. I seem to recall him rattling into the fencing around the ground in front of us, and was out for a bit. He then came back very tentative and seemed to have put some weight on

There's no surprised that Burgess' career spiralled - been questions for some time about professionalism off the field, not just him but others around that circle of lads who came through together. All have since departed. Clubs better off

Is it true that the Anus of Wigan (JT) is back at the club coaching the youngsters?, If ever there was evidence of the jobs for the boys culture then this is it, if true.

We stand on the cusp of maybe a small era of success having won a challenge cup, league leaders and Grand final in the last two seasons with a job for the boys culture firmly in place. We seem to be attractive to players who want to renew contracts and new talent who want to get on board. While some new blood can be good the job for the boys is to a degree is a non starter when it comes to something bad. Tommy for example played under five coaches at Wigan alone, he had NRL experience won a world cup from a pivot position and played in many international set ups. Briers was great and if we get another opportunity of his like I'm sure we will take it. I think he was pretty happy in our job for the boys set up while he was mainly a one team player and also with limited success. Peet's earned his position and I think you would struggle to say it's been anything but the right one? Lockers often refared to by better judges than me who have played with and against, and coached with and against him as one of the best how could you let that asset slip the net without trying it? Joel may have crossed a line but he's served a punishment for it again he's been away from the club in RU at club international level, he's also been in other SL clubs systems so it's hardly like he's no different experience of what works and what doesn't. Pretty easy to throw that tag around when things look poor but when almost every other club would swap us places going into this season it looks daft.

Nobody ever questioned his professionalism when it came to training and around the club. That incident was foolish but if you filmed every single rugby player out on the drink then Joel's misdemeanour would be very low down the list of seriousness. Just unfortunate it was put all over social media. Sure he was embarrassed as anyone

Just wait till Sam Powell comes back as assistant coach in a few years time.

Don't wind him up!

Surprised to see Tomkins back at the club if I’m honest

And I see Owen Farrell has signed for union side racing 92 this ending the saga of will he won’t he ever join Wigan,he was never going to sign was he I mean come on he just wasn’t

Neither here nor there to us really.

Would have been a fun signing, but mainly for the tailspin it would have sent RU into.

For the kind of money OF would have wanted, we could get someone younger, probably at least as good and more battle-hardened to the rigours of RL.

OF was NEVER signing for Wigan despite what other users may claim

There were discussions
From a playing point of view, bit of a risk
From a commercial, talking point, headline point of view, would have been amazing

I think the general feeling was that the playing side would be a huge risk but the headlines it would gain might make it worth it but it always felt unlikely. To come here he would’ve needed to give up a lot of money and the romantic in me says if a move to Wigan meant enough to him he’d do that but these guys use their heads.

One thing I would say is that this move he’s made confirms he’s been unsettled at Saracens and just adds weight to the noises that he did have talks with Wigan.

He definitely had talks with Wigan and was still doing pretty recently too, there was a possibility of a short term contract at the end of the Saracens season

Misogyny and threatening women isn’t that serious?

Lmao! Spoken like a true wiganer. I’m surprised you have the strength to pick your knuckles up off the floor to type on here

I love the lack of self awareness here.

First he takes the moral high ground - misogyny and threatening women etc. Something most would agree is bad.

Then suddenly it's "spoken like a true Wiganer".

Mate, you're a chimp. I suspect you don't even now the meaning of misogyny, just have some vague idea that it's bad and so provides you with a useful stick to again beat a bunch of people, none of whom you actually know.

I'd say take your head for a poop, but I doubt there's even any brown stuff in there.

Is this the same soft St Helens sod who PMs people on here asking for a fight. Utter gimp

Thats the one,just because I wouldnt adopt the little man.

He asked me a few times to meet using one of his many alter-ego's.

And you turned him down?

I'd happily come and watch him get a good kicking.

Matt Shaw saying Sam Tomkins is pushing hard for his mate Tommy Makinson to finish his career at Catalans.

Saw that myself and just posted the below on Red Vee

I wouldn't be averse to Makinson leaving at the end of the season especially if we replace him with a younger winger. He's still a great finisher but picking up injuries more and more regularly and will be 33 next season. He has lost some pace too. Depending what's in the Academy or options in the market it may not be the worst idea. He will be taking up a good chunk of the SC too. To transition and build again to get back on our perch will mean making some bold decisons and replacing the ageing older players would be a good option.

Do you think you'll need 2 wingers then or are you aware of youngsters coming through?

i was chatting to a work colleague yesterday who said he didnt think Bennison was the answer (better FB than winger), but was unsure whether he would make it as a regular at Saints

We then had a chat about Ritson, who i'm a little unsure about. Thought it was a great bit of business for you last year to get him for 12 months and take a look at him, but equally when he wasnt played when you was short of players, suggested Wellens perhaps didnt fancy him. There's no doubt he has pace, and that can help him defensively. I personally having watched him a couple of times in the championship and last year, dont think he is smart enough in terms of rugby brain to make it at Saints (but could be proved wrong)

The only serious criticism you can aim at Saints over the last few years is proper succession planning. Even that's harsh, why would you change anything when you're wiping the floor with almost everyone you come up against? But I think not being ruthless now will only make an already significant rebuilding job even harder, so I think you're completely right about Makinson and I think you could easily throw a few others in there.

Having said that, you've obviously still got a formidable 17 when everyone's fit, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see you top after Good Friday. I'd be very surprised though to see you top at the end of the season once injuries become a factor and your squad has been stretched.

I wonder if it might end up as a swap around with Tom Davies. I know he’s been linked previously.