Definitely. The strategy they’ve used in the main has worked pretty well for us. We’d all like to have kept certain players at certain times but the bottom line of the success we’ve had had been positive.

Broken collarbone for Walters, 12 weeks if he needs an op.

Gutted, I was really looking forward to seeing him play, on the plus side having N'Semba/Walters coming back April/May will be a real boost.
Giving Isa another season has turned into a masterstroke.

A real shame - hopefully Isa and Farrell can get through OK otherwise we'll have to ask one of the front rowers to try and make it work. None really stand out as suited to that position but Dupree or Ellis would probably have the best chance.

No criticism of Walters whatsoever but it perhaps is a lesson to be a little smarter when it comes to pre-season games (or even a competitive game that is already won). The injury came when he went for a unnecessarily big hit towards the end of the game when we were 40-0 up.

Big loss is Walters, we are a little thin at second row and with him and Nsemba out we are at bare bones to start the season off, big chance for Chan and hopefully he takes it, I do however think we need Walters X factor in the Penrith game.

Unlucky to have both injured at the same time. One more injury and we’re in trouble.

Our massive set of props are great but lack the versitlity of last year (KPP could play prop, 13, centre backrow, Smithies prop, backrow, 13, Shorrocks 13, backrow, 6).

Hopefully Chan can do a job there but looked way out of his depth vs Wakefield (maybe I’m reading too much into that first hit out).

Seen people mention Ellis as a backrow option but he’s nowhere near mobile enough to defend in space.

Thompson used to play a bit of backrow in his younger days but that was pre injury.

Am I crazy to think Brad O’Neill could do a job there in an emergency? Would hold up defensively that’s for sure.

I’m sure Peet will work it out.

After Chan I think I'd look at Dupree next. He looks in excellent shape this season and I look at his footwork and the sort of lines he runs and he looks capable of it. I think back to his try on debut and look at that try at Hull last week and he runs a line where he hits it just drifting wide and he has a bit of pace about him. It would be nice to not have to discuss this but we're in that spot and he gives me more confidence that he could do a job than guys like Ellis, Mago, Thompson etc.

Chan looks like he's next in line and I think, given time, he could go well in that position. The problem is that these injuries mean that he won't get that time. He's effectively gone from being 5th choice to a probable bench spot. God help us if we get any more injuries in the back row! Dupree looks like he could do a job there, as you say, but he'd be in exactly the same situation as Chan.

Not an ideal start to the season with up to 5 players out already, depending on how Cooper and Miski come through the reserves game. Let's hope we're getting our injuries out of the way early!

I’m not massively worried just yet, especially in terms of the league because it’s a long season but the losses could hurt us in the WCC. We’ve spoken in previous WCC’s about us lacking size and you then go and get a big athletic prop and 2 huge second rowers ruled out and the pack then starts to head towards looking average sized again.

In truth though I’m treating that WCC game as a chance of a bonus trophy. I’d absolutely love to win it but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t and there will be loads to play for in the rest of 2024. Having a few hungry lads to come back after the WCC, regardless of the result in that, should give us a big boost.

At the same time you don't want to be playing too much catch up so these early injuries could hurt us. I was hoping for the facility to rotate the squad in the early part of the season given that the WCC will likely have an effect. We still have that option but the 2nd row in particular is looking a little thin. No more injuries and we'll be fine and the likes of Havard, Walters and Nsemba coming back into the pack in Spring could provide a timely boost. Further injuries and we'll be counting the days until they return.

Sod’s law to lose two lads in the position I think most felt was one we were a body short in. We just need to try and get past Penrith without further issues and then I think we can cope if Chan, Dupree etc need to go in there. I don’t see it hurting us to a degree that we’d lose enough games to be well off the pace because of the strength elsewhere.

I doubt it but I wonder if it may open up a chance for somebody like Beardsworth or Mason? They seem to be the second rowers in the reserves but are probably a couple of years off at the minute (if they make it all).

I've mentioned Beardsworth before and he certainly wouldn't let us down defensively. Whether he has enough in attack is the question. I remember Rogues saying that he wasn't quite there last time I mentioned it but that was a year or so ago.

I did think maybe Makin though? Very strong carrier of the ball and good in defence, at least when defending in the middle.

The problem is, in all these cases, it's a bit makeshift unless, like Chan, there's been some pre season preparation. Even in Chan's case I think he's been training at loose rather than in the 2nd row.

As you say, we were probably a body short at 2nd row although with 4 genuine 1st teamers vying for 2 places I can see how there was an element of keeping everyone happy and giving them enough game time in the club's thinking. What we needed was a 2nd row/centre option but, again, with ISA probably fulfilling that role and Eckersley to consider regarding game time, it's understandable that we didn't add anyone.

Ideally we need Chan to make a successful transition into a hybrid prop/2nd row/loose forward. I think he could given time as he's a strong ball carrier, a lively runner and has an offload in him. To be fair I think he will do well in that role given time and, given how stacked we are at prop, would be the best option for him personally going forward.

Chan at loose again today in the reserves which seems a bit of a missed opportunity to give him 80 mins at second row. I watched Beardsworth in the friendly at Whitehaven last year and he looked fine defensively as you say but a bit limited with the ball in terms of knowing when to run and when to move it. He killed a couple of attacks with it but it’s all part of the learning.

Nicholson would have been that player.

In terms of what he can do but not in terms of him being a squad player. He wanted first team rugby and he wasn't guaranteed that at Wigan.

He may have been very good or may go on to be but I doubt we would have seen anything more than an odd cameo going into this season and then only at the cost of Jnr development. I can't see how he would have forced his way past Faz, ISA, KPP at second row or Smithies Ellis at LF if all was fit? You could even say it may have stopped Walters signing and/or maybe one of the props being signed as Eliss would have filled the role, he's also more in the mould of a average size forward rather than that natural big frame we have definitely been lacking at times. All if and maybe but I think I would take Walters signing Jnr development and new contract over a player who made the choice he did.

It’s all if’s buts and maybes.

One thing is for sure we need to be prioritising a secondrow signing ahead of next season and I’d suggest we would look to use one of the quota spots we will open up on one.

Peet clearly wants a big pack and I don’t see where we get a secondrow that fits the bill from in SL.

We need someone to replace Isa, but we don't need a big name. By the end of the season, Walter's will have replaced Isa. Nesmba is top junior talent who'll then take up that regular bench spot. That works from a size POV, a development POV and more than likely a cap POV too.

If there's no one in the reserves who can step up, then I think we'll get another project signing like Chan. I just can't see an experienced head coming in and dislodging two of the best talents in SL.

Looking at the squad, I think a second row signing is the only thing we need for 2025 unless there are surprise exits and I don’t see who that could be at the minute (which is why it would be a surprise I guess..ha). The plan you’d imagine would be for Isa to retire and then at least one prop to move on (Cooper may well retire on his terms or Mago may go) and a second rower to come in, with guys like Hill and Sam Eseh moving up the prop pecking order.

It’s a lovely position to be in for things to seem so settled and straight forward. They’ve got plenty of time to look around the market here and down under for a second rower.

But the debate is about not having enough cover for the second row, the other points are valid but not in the context of what we are discussing.

I was speaking to Kyle Amor last year when he was playing at Widnes and just after Eckersley has played a couple of games there. The conversation came round to what was Eckerleys best position as I wasn't sure if he was a fullback, winger or centre.
Kyle said that he thought Eckersley would make a superb attacking second row due to his physical size, speed and athleticism.

Food for thought?

Not for me. Looks a clear centre.

I think they are in context Zig. The discussion is what Wigan need. You could equally say any number of players could fulfil the role but it's a moot point if they aren't right for Wigan. He wasn't right for Wigan as he wanted guaranteed first team rugby and that wasn't something we could offer.

I did consider that Rogues but I have an aversion to sticking every big, athletic lad in the 2nd row. It's something we've done as a nation for far too long. We need big, athletic backs too so any capable of playing in the backs should do so. Eckersley is more than capable.

Have you had any further thoughts on Beardsworth?

God, we (British RL) are obsessed with turning strong backs into boring back rowers, hope we don't do it again.