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.

Spot on. There are some big decisions to be made with the likes of Walmsley and Lomax too. I personally think Walmsley is only another big injury away from retiring. Hurell won't be there next season I'd imagine but Percival is injury prone and getting on in age too.

I'd take that, really rate Davies.

For years we've struggled to bring some top quality backs through the system, we always seemed to produce better forwards. Welsby and Dodd are notable exceptions of late and Grace to a lesser extent. The likes of Makinson, Percival and Lomax came through a long time ago

By all accounts there are 4-5 in the system who Rush describes as "game changers" not just lads who will have a SL career but ones who will play for Saints and make a difference. I am not an expert on our Academy but I know for example that Vaughan (England Academy captain) will definitely come through.

All depends on their development which is why I think Blake is an astute signing. Yes he has weaknesses but he's not coming up against Farnworth, Crichton, Mitchell every week in the SL. He can play wing too and has something to prove if he wants another NRL club given he has only signed a one year deal. He also has something we badly lack- genuine pace.

The extra 12 months also allows us to see how some of the centres/wingers develop. 12 months can be a long time in RL.

I also think Ritson will be much better this season. I think its taken him that first season to come to terms with a full-time environment and he was on a steep learning curve.

Would be a good move for both Saints and Catalans. One of superleagues all time best but his powers are declining.

Catalans would get a leader from a winning system similar to McIlorum
And Tomkins.

No he never haha what did you say to warrant that

An update from Matt Shaw has him in talks with HKR. They're going all out to try and bring the full Wigan outside backline from 2017 together.

i get what you are saying about production line. i think we've had a similar spell post Tomkins, Charnley, Burgess, etc where we've produced far more forwards (mainly back row too) than quality backs.

my mate who i was chatting to yesterday was unsure re academy too. He lost interest a few years back due to something that happened at Saints, but still keeps an interest in 1st team

He also commented re Blake, saying that whilst not top drawer, should be an astute signing for this year, and perhaps an extension thereafter

He rated Ritson more highly than i did, but that often comes from not seeing a player week in week out and forming an opinion in that way, but i do agree he's in a top setup to get the best out of a player if they are going to make it, and i dont think he'll be costing you a fortune on the cap either