Injuries happen sadly. Touch wood, but the Eseh one isn't too concerning. We've got Cooper back ahead of schedule and, looking at the team Peet picked for Hull, Eseh wasn't even featured. We're well covered, even with injuries at prop.

Its certainly not ideal but so far at least there are no injuries that should last beyond late April/May. Plus whilst unfortunate, injuries are usually the main facilitator to younger players getting their chance and breaking through. Harvey Makin looks next in line.

My only concern would be another prop picking up a hamstring injury, especially if it’s another bad one. Havard and Byrne had them at the end of last year and another one going down would have to make you wonder if it’s something to do with how they’re being conditioned (says a fat bloke sat on his couch).

Very unfortunate. Wigan are hoping that Walters does not need an operation. It will still mean that he is out injured for 8-10 weeks!

In previous seasons it may have been a problem but the club has planned to a certain extent for injuries by having such a large number of forwards. Walters, Havard, Nsembe and Eseh’s return will be like having another pack of forwards available.

true, if you think about the jokes / comments made just after the end of last season, that we had 99 props etc etc

the difference is we have some class props and backup, with some good prospects still to come. Injuries are part and parcel of the game, and hopefully we are getting them out the way now and not the business end of the season

The reality is unless someone special becomes available we won’t be needing to sign a prop for a couple of seasons at least.

We also have 4 front line second row forwards it’s just very unfortunate that we have 2 injured at the same time going into the season.

We obviously have risks associated with certain players and NRL interest however in Havard, Eseh, Dupree, Hill we have the foundations in place to be very settled in the prop department for best part of a decade.

Mago 29, Thompson 28 and Ellis 27 all got a few seasons on them also.

Realistically we are only likely to lose Cooper anytime soon unless we move on Mago too.

It’s a great position to be in allowing us time to really focus on developing our young props that are already at the club.

Chan at the moment I’m not sure about but he’s another only 23/24 who has time on his side and certainly has the mental attributes in my opinion to really develop in the Wigan set up similar to how Isa did.

I agree with all of that. We have three props in their prime and a whole host of others that will continue to develop over the next few years. I think the club see Makin as a replacement for Cooper but that won’t be for a couple of years. The conveyor belt seems well oiled with respect to both backs and forwards.

What are your thoughts on Makin, Zig? He seems to be an explosive runner at academy level but, as he's not the biggest, do you think it will transfer to senior level?

I think his size (height) is a disadvantage but his attitude is first class. Will power can get you a long way. I am hoping that the club can develop him into an Andy Platt type player. The jury is out yet, but I think he has a chance.

Platt started as a back rower iirc and I'm wondering whether the same pathway might be the best for Makin too? Not sure if he's ever played there though so it might be a non starter.

He did, at Saints. I don’t know if Makin has played second row.

Played majority of his first 12/18months at Wigan 2nd row also
Moved to Prop late 89/90

What about Makin Jukesays?

Played front row and sometimes 2nd row at Judes but I'm going back years to when he was a kid. His dad Craig played at Widnes & Salford.

If I remember rightly he was also a prop.

He was. Think may have been a challenge cup at Widnes,they went a couple of tries up early on he had a very good first half iirc

Slightly worrying article on nrl.com about Bevan still having an eye on a return to the NRL although not a real surprise.

Acknowledges he still has an eye on returning - which he has always been open about, and sees the WCC as an opportunity to put himself back in the shop window with his opportunities and time running out at getting a chance to return .

Last year he felt he owed something to the club and wanted to achieve things here for himself and the club before thinking about returning - which he probably achieved last year.

He's pretty level headed though and said rather than trying to stand out as an individual it be a better outcome if he shows he can stick to the team game plan.

Realistically this season is probably his last chance at getting a return and there's a strong possibility he'll get picked up as a squad player if he has another outstanding season in the halves. He's not going to make it in the NRL as a winger or FB.

French will have been here 5 and a half years at the end of 2024. We've probably had him in his prime years for a player like him as well. If it's important to him to have another NRL.stint then best wishes to him, although that would be dependent on him getting an offer (and I assume he'd want an offer to be first choice somewhere).

It would open up a marquee spot plus I'm not convinced that Farrimond and Smith can't play together as some have suggested.

Agree we've had a great return from French and it's been a pleasure to have him here for so long.

If he does go I hope he kills it in the NRL and doesn't just end up as cover playing in the 2nd tier.


Obviously there are big expectations of Farrimond and we have to have a pathway for him to progress otherwise there's always the chance he moves on - next year maybe one too early though. Realistically we'll only know once he starts to play in the first team. ?

French has certainly exceeded my expectations since he moved to 6. At the time it seemed like a makeshift option, that got him more involved in the game.

That being said and like others have mentioned, we've had an excellent return from him. If he leaves, then he does so with everyone's blessing.

Either way, I just hope we sort it out early. If he stays, I'm happy. Likewise if he decides to leave, then announce it early and use the quota spot and salary to recruit a top draw replacement.

French has been nothing but great since he came but honestly if he decided to return to the NRL I really don’t see him as anything but cover as good as he is for Wigan,such is the gulf between the 2 comps,personally I hope he and Field for that matter end their playing careers here rather than return on a pipe dream and end up playing second fiddle

I agree - too lightweight to be on the wing over there, too inexperienced to be trusted at 6. At fullback - possibly but only for one of the lower sides.

I feel like French has a really good opportunity to prolong his career over here as a stand off. If he goes back he’s really limiting his playing opportunities and potentially cutting short his career by a few years.

From a professional point of view, staying here would seem to be the best option, but if it’s a personal decision to go back then fair play to him.

One thing is for certain, he’s been absolute magic to watch and we have been lucky to have had him! Really hope he stays as most of our key players are on fairly long contracts now…it would be the cherry on top keeping him!

JWH signed 1 year deal at HKR

Be good (interesting) seeing him in SL