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

I hope we keep him but I would be interested to see how Byrne would go at a club like Hull. At his best, he is exactly what they need but he isn't at his best enough and it really could go either way. He could realise he needs to lead the way and find that intensity in his game every single week or he could become really comfortable and just drift through full seasons, much in the same way as he drifts through 'parts' of the season here.

It feels pretty simple from our POV. If we have the cap space to keep him, then he stays unless Hull offer up a transfer fee that would be too good to turn down. There is no way I'd be allowing him to walk for nothing unless we need the cap room.

Byrne is the type of player that if he was to leave, we will probably look back in 3 years time saying we should of kept hold off him. But we are stacked with props and if he gets offered a generous deal at Hull, you cant blame him for leaving or the club for accepting a deal. There is definitely a player there as we saw towards the back end of the season so its a tough situation to be in with him.

I'd be disappointed if Byrne leaves.
We have already lost Cooper for 2025. This gives us 5 match day props in Havard, Thompson, Byrne, Mago and Dupree.
After those five we have Walters who can play prop plus Eseh and Chan neither are proven props at Wigan.
Given the attritional nature of props the instances of injury and suspension are almost a given during such a long season.
Surely we can't let one of our five front line props leave as this will mean we be short of experience in that position.
Don't know what his contract situation is but I hope Liam stays for many seasons to come.

You've missed out Harvie Hill who I suspect is earmarked for a big pre-season and hopefully a big 2025. That being said - I agree - I don't think now is the best time to be releasing Liam Byrne. He was solid towards the back end - consistency has always been the issue for him. Let's see how he goes in the final year of his contract.

And a transfer fee.

Only way I can see it happening is if the club wants it to. The transfer fee won't be needed and wouldn't be huge. I imagine caps in hand but that could be only reason he moves on.
Think he's out of contract next year so Hull could potentially offer more than us. I still think Byrne could be a late burner at times he's been good because he's not dynamic it's hard to see when he's playing injured. I also think his direct style and tackling position was a problem for him earlier last season and it seemed to knock his and the coaches confidence.