I wouldn't mind some sort of developmental spot on the bench, like a rule where an 18th man needs to have played less than x amount of games (20/30 etc) which could then be used to carry somebody like Farrimond, Kerr etc and get them opportunities when you get an injury or a game is safe/over.

It's hard for any back up prop when Havard and Thompson do so many minutes per game. Mago seems to have fashioned a role for himself as a real impact sub, but both Byrne and Dupree have struggled, and I suspect part of that is simply due to the lack of game time.

I'd like to see a six man bench with substitutions ( no interchange) once you're off you're off.
You could maybe have an eight man bench but with the proviso that two of those players had to be under twenty one on the opening day of the season.

It's not helped for sure but in the case of Byrne, I feel like his worst form of the season was probably when he was playing more minutes around the time Havard was still injured in those early months. He just wasn't in great form but I thought he finished the season well and he did get more minutes in some of the latter games, when Thompson and Havard had their minutes managed.

It's impacted on Dupree without a doubt IMO. He did start the season pretty well, when Havard was injured and Cooper went down and he was getting more minutes but after his suspension for the Cup final, his time on the field and form dropped away. He needs to really throw himself in to pre season and then when the games come find some intensity again and make a case to play more. He just looked a bit too comfy plodding along IMO in the second half of the season.

Thanks for your thoughts on Byrne.
He seems similar to Oledzki as far as the fans are concerned.
Solid yet not spectacular, some like him some don`t but homegrown and steady isn`t a bad thing to have in a salary capped sport.
Think our hard yards might be coming from our wingers this year with Hall and most likely Sivo doing the hard graft!

Byrne is signing for us (Hull FC) According to his wikipedia page anyway

Isn’t that similar to what Sam Tomkins was suggesting?

Wigan have been approached about Byrne but don’t want to let him go.

Under contract and played big minutes in the Grand Final.

Already lost Cooper and props are hard to come by.

I think he’ll be staying.

Not sure about Sivo doing the hard yards. I’m sure he will initially but the reason he fell out of favour at Parra and is being moved on is because of his low work rate and willingness to carry early out of his own half.

3/4's through the season I thought Bryne was finished at the club and on his way out especially when he was sub but didn't come on. He was either not getting selected after missing a number of games through poor tackle technique and when he did play he would come up with soft errors, usually dropping the ball in tackle or sloppy ptb.

The last few games of the season though he played more minutes and I can't remember a mistake or poor tackle. I think he's obviously put alot of work into his technique at bending his back more in the tackle - and i suspect Wigan have been working hard in the background with him on this.


I think he still has a lot to offer and if he puts the work in I think he can mature now into a very good prop for Wigan. and he's a very big body who can take alot out of the opposition. He won't do the spectacular stuff, but he's the sort of prop every team needs to take some sting out of the opposition forwards.

I didn't see that, but to me it makes sense.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"I didn't see that, but to me it makes sense.'" I was wrong, he went much further than what you suggested but it was the same in principle. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sk ... he%20sport.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"I didn't see that, but to me it makes sense.'" I was wrong, he went much further than what you suggested but it was the same in principle. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sk ... he%20sport.

A lot will come down to what he is happy with I guess. He is at best 4th choice behind Ellis, Havard and Thompson and he's not as good an impact prop as Mago. I think Dupree has more potential but Byrne had moved past him by the end of the season.

He's up the pecking order with Cooper gone but could be under pressure from Hill.

This year showed it's good for us to have depth at prop but if he wants more than 10 minutes here and there he will probably be looking elsewhere.

Sam Eseh is a bit of a forgotten man at the moment. I hope he has an injury free offseason as if he does he could make a massive impact next year.

The lad has bags of potential, just hope he realises it at Wigan.

Eseh and Chan have to prove themselves in 2025 so the off season will be vital for both of them.
Can't see Byrne going anywhere as the bench props were so important to the success of 2024.
Prop is the most attritional position and therefore with injuries and suspensions having a significant number of quality props is essential.
Starting with Havard and Thompson in every match next season won't happen. We therefore need any number of props to get us through those times without a drop in intensity.

I agree, next season gives us a fantastic chance to win the treble. We will have some minor disruption to our season with the Vegas trip. Of course it's impossible for the same 17 players to retain the same intensity week on week (as seen last season with our disastrous performances against Leeds and Hull FC). Plus add in injuries then it's imperative we have good squad cover.

We saw Forber, Farrimond and Eckersley step up this year (I view Hill as already part of the mix). Who might be added to that next year?

It'll likely just be a continuation of guys who've already made debuts IMO. I think the rest are a little way behind currently, with them being younger and I think it'll then be 2026 when we start to see guys like Hodkinson, Kerr and Mason. You never know I guess but it'll take a bit of an injury crisis to see much of those guys next season.

2025 will be the year for guys like Eseh, Douglas, Farrimond and co to try and kick on.

Cheers Jonh.
You would think if anyone knew him it would be Brad Arthur.
We might have to wait another few years for our rebuild otherwise!

I thinking in year one he probs my will look interested beyond that may be an issue especially if Arthur goes to the new franchise as expected in 2026.

I think you will also be sharing his salary in year 1, think year 2 & 3 you will be carrying the full burden.

He will provide good entertainment I’ve no doubt though so look forward to watching him in SL.

You could say the same about Bevan French!

I would have loved to have heard the brief convo between them at the end of the Leeds match.

FC are pushing for Byrne. He wants a big contract if he’s going over there.

I’m sure they’ll have the money spare. I personally wouldn’t want him to leave, Hills probs the next in line but is he ready to play a full season

This would be a fantastic signing for us. He's exactly what we need but as you say, would have to be a big contract if to tempt him to move over the pennines.

With new investment likely to be announced today (possible at the forum tonight), I think they need a signing to announce alongside it. Byrne would fit the bill of what we are still lacking