I saw something with Rads recently saying we're right up to the cap limit, so I doubt that will happen. It wouldn't be the craziest move, given Hampshire has moved on and he's certainly a better player than him but now is the time for Eckersley and Farrimond to move up the pecking order and to get their chances.

Longer term, if Field or French move on, I'd expect the club would look to go pretty big on an overseas replacement if they didn't think they could just drop Farrimond in at stand off or switch things around and get Eckersley in somewhere (with maybe Keighran going to 1 or 6 for example).

Interesting times at Saints with both Lees and Knowles off contract, I would imagine that there will be plenty of suitors. The NRL seems to be showing an interest in Lees (Gold Coast) and Iv'e been told that Wire are looking at Knowles.

Knowles has a young family I think so doubt he'd consider the NRL but a local SL move might be an option. Lees could go to Australia.

I would be surprised and disappointed if Knowles went to Warrington bearing in mind the club have granted him a testimonial this season. His wife is heavily pregnant with their second child so I'm hoping family support may keep him here.

I can see Lees going as he has no kids and lets face it who wouldn't want to live on the Gold Coast on more money for a few years. Interesting times ahead particularly as there has already been NRL interest in Delaney too.

I believe Field has also just got engaged - looking at the pics on Instagram. I think his GF stays over in Aus most of eth year so that may well be a big consideration in the next year or two.

genuine question

what is a testimonial worth to a player? I know there is lots done re charities with testimonials, but would £x from a testimonial cover a potential contract & salary increase elsewhere?

No I agree that financially it wouldn't be a game changer. My point was more about loyalty. I know its a short career and they don't get what footballers earn etc but by and large we've managed to keep our top players over the years. Roby was a prime example of someone who could've gone to Australia and didn't. We've managed to keep the likes of Lomax and Walmsley for all their career when I would imagine there would've been interest in both when they were younger.

You’ve been lucky that you haven’t been raided for your talent. Hopefully it doesn’t continue for you. I imagine Welsby will be next to go. We’ve had plenty of years were we’ve lost players to the NRL. I think this is the first we haven’t lost a player.

There's a report going around today that Woolf is looking towards Superleague to rebuild the Dolphins pack for 2026, once guys like Kafusi and Bromwich retire. You'd be surprised if he isn't looking at Saints to see if guys like Lees and Knowles fancy it. There might be that element of not wanting to do too much damage to his old club but he seems a guy who is pretty ruthless and focused on success, so I'm not sure that'll hold him back.

yeah I can see Welsby going within a couple of years. However he is contracted for another 3 seasons so there would have to be a transfer fee paid.

You're still holding a grudge against Woolf for not releasing Saints players for internationals

i agree you've done well to retain your talent in the main. I guess some players are homebirds and i'd put Liam Farrell and Lockers into that category, where like Roby they probably could have gone abroad

with Lomax, you were probably lucky (although unlucky as he was injured) that we seemed to be quite fragile at a younger age, and he's developed some resilience as he's gotten older. There's no doubt he's talented but could probably have played far more games for you

I think geography is a big protective factor for SL. If the NRL was played in Europe I think the floodgates would have opened by now but it's a huge move to go and live in Australia. From personal experience, living somewhere and being a tourist somewhere are two very different things. It'll also be interesting to see how the new franchise in PNG will affect the numbers leaving SL - on one hand living in a compound in PNG does not sound appealing but the tax exemptions will definitely appeal to some.

Saints may have a couple of middles closer to the end of their contract but from a Wigan standpoint it would surprise me if Ethan Havard didn't end up there at some point.

Times are changing though, the new NRL franchise in 2028 will have a big impact on SL. The Aussies will already be talking to agents about deals. Unless Saints are going to come up with the money players are going to go. There is no way they can compete with the NRL unless they maximise the marquee rule and it doesn’t look as though the club has much appetite for that. Welsby will definitely go to the NRL, I expect Lees to go and young Delaney will probably have an offer on the table.

Unless there is a break clause in his contract.

With my Wigan hat on I hope Havard stays here for his career but if I take it off and look at where he is at currently, I think he should go and test himself. He has broken in to the England side now and I think another season here with Wigan would take him to 25 years old and he would have 6 or 7 seasons of first team rugby at the back of him. As much as it always hurts seeing them walk out of the door, I think the lads would be daft not to go if it's something they have an ambition to do and that's the case for them all, including non Wigan players like Welsby, Lees, Lewis etc.

another one on testimonials as i've just seen a picture of Josh Charnley at one of his testimonial do's

are there 2 ways it can be granted ie Club as with Knowles (or an other player who stays loyal to an individual club) or RFL that i'm assuming has granted Charnley one, which is slightly stranger given he buggered off to rugby union too, but still has more than 10 years service to RL?

agree with this on the basis that they dont s*** on their current club

KPP was the last to leave Wigan when we knew in advance, and he handled himself ideally for the situation. He has aspirations, let the club know, signed for Newcastle, turned up week in, week out whilst still wearing the cherry and white, and left on good terms. As fans, thats all we can ask if someone is leaving for a different challenge. Give their all for the club, and the fans will back them

I have no issue with it providing 1) they give the club that trained and developed them some good service at 1st team level first (5 years as a ballpark figure) and 2) they don't break a contract or kick up a fuss if the club doesn't allow it.

The salaries on offer in PNG will be staggering given they are tax free. If I was a British player my CV would be in the post.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-30574633 This could lend some weight to the Brierley rumour, not sure it is a good move for him though as he would surely only assume the position of Hampshire and be seen as back up. Not a clue how we would be fitting him under the Salary cap also.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-30574633 This could lend some weight to the Brierley rumour, not sure it is a good move for him though as he would surely only assume the position of Hampshire and be seen as back up. Not a clue how we would be fitting him under the Salary cap also.

Thought when I saw the first mention of rumours regarding Brierley that we might sign him for a fee and immediately loan him back to Salford. No doubt we'd have to pay a fee and a part of his salary with Salford paying a lesser part than now.
If we got an injury to Field then Brierley is a quality and experienced replacement.
It always seems to be sods law that if a player in a position gets an injury someone playing a similar position will get an injury or suspension. Obviously a team only has one full back but if, say, Eckersley starts playing for a injured back then another three-quarter will be missing games for some reason.
If Brierley's signing did go ahead then the club are covering themselves with experienced and reserve team players. A very good place to be.

Completely disagree.

If Field gets injured French or Eckersley goes to 1.

If French goes then Farrimond gets a start in the halves.

If Eckerskey goes he gets game time in SL.

We don’t need Brierley he doesn’t improve our squad in any way.

Would be a poor signing and a rumour I see no truth in.

Farrimond and Smith together in my opinion won’t work. Both are a number 7 and won’t complement each other as they both play the same game. I don’t think currently we have an alternative to French at 6 in the squad other than a relatively unproven Keighran. Having Brierley in the squad would allow Field as another alternative.
Eckersley for a prolonged period at 1 seriously???? I like Eckersley but he isn’t the fleet footed roaming FB that we’ve become accustomed to in last few years and he would reduce our attacking options compared to Field or French. Obviously Brierley isn’t a French or a Field but he does play a similar style of play and has a decent level of pace over the initial 15 or 20 yards.
Brierley replacing Hampshire isn’t an improvement??
I don’t think the Brierley rumour is true due primarily to SC so to a large degree it's probably irrelevant but if it was possible then he’d be a decent signing. I wouldn’t lose any sleep if we didn’t sign him however, if we could fit him within the SC then I’d consider him an astute signing with our current first team squad.

I hope not. The asset strippers are circling Salford and it is not a good look.