Would probably be a good thing for you - one of the areas you can cover relatively easily (particularly now with French) and he looks a fair way short of where he was for Leeds/Cas to me.

Like with TT, would probably be a convenient shame.

He’s not stood out but he’s been very steady and good in defence. When you consider the time out he’s had he’s been a success I would say. He’s also covered at centre and done well and we are fairly light in that position so having emergency cover in this position helps.
I for one hope it’s just gossip and he’s on our books next season and can build a partnership with Hastings like he had with Gale and become an attacking force.

Can’t agree, he’s not been at his MOS challenging form but has been decent. Lam’s way of playing is starting to show, that combined with recent signings has the potential to bring the best out of him.

I approved of his signing and still do, there will always be a sense of a ticking time bomb with him and always be rumours whether true or not.

I told you all a long time ago he would be back in a Castleford shirt. He has been homesick since day one and he has wanted a return closer to home and his family. Castleford have made things difficult with the refusal to allow Mitch Clark to join early but given he's decided to abuse the freedom the club allowed I doubt it will hold up things much. Shame really as he could have become a real force here at Wigan but a want-away player is never good.

So French to fullback then.

What’s he been up to now?

Bit of a ter really, team isn’t looking as strong as we thought for next season then. I’m also suprised Cas are willing to take him back.

I think when the first few rumours of Bevan French signing circulated a few people found it confusing, simply because he won't be cheap and the reason he has fell out of favour at Parramatta was a clash regards him playing full back. I posted on the rumour forum a month or so ago (before Bevan was even touted) that ZH wouldn't be at Wigan next year, the club is well aware of his desire to return closer to his family and although he has settled in with the club, I am (reliably) told the club believe holding him to the remaining 3 years of his deal would be playing with fire.

You just get the feeling he’s heading back to that MOS form though,be a crying shame if he does go as I feel the best of him is still to come but it does explain the French signing.

What's he supposed to have done then?
I'm not sure I can believe he has or is unhappy. His recent form suggests he is starting to come into some form and enjoying his rugby again which I think anyone can agree a full free flowing Zak Hardaker is a joy to watch.
Ever since he left rumours of hes coming back to Cas have been near enough every week. I'll believe it when I see it but it's a risk if true.

Other than enjoying himself with some of his team mates on holiday nothing at least in public,but then there’s always “those who know”who suggest he’s been up to no good but won’t say why.

Fair enough, you chaps obv see more of him than me

I would hope the club have his contract nailed down to cover any eventualities. If he goes, he goes. Hope he stays, but he won't be the last to not fulfil his potential. It would be a big climb down for Cas to take him back.

Let Cas fork out £100k to buy him again haha

Now that would be funny.

I personally don't think it would be that big of a loss if ZH left.

I've said my piece on him, but I don't actually think he's that good. He needs someone else to make his game woel, where as guys like Tomkins or Coote make things happen for others.

At the end of the day he's our player. We shouldn't be doing Cas any favours like they haven't with us.

Either way they should pay a transfer fee or a player swap.

Other than that he stays.

I’ll take a player swap deal for McShane.

Hardaker costs Cas a GF due to a drugs ban
Cas sack Zak for said drug offense and are massively annoyed and aggrieved by his actions.
Cas refuse to do business with Wigan over Mitch Clark.

Yet Cas now want Zak back?
And Wigan are willing to business with Cas even though Zak is still under contract?
Zak has publicly stated how being at Wigan has turned his life around?
How's he's getting on so well at Wigan he's just been on holiday with Gilly and Hank plus partners?

I'm not saying there's any truth in this rumour; I simply don't know. However, if Zak can't see how much better, on a personal level, being at Wigan is for him, as opposed to being back round the clubs of Ponty with his "mates", then there really is no hope for the lad.

Is McShane much better than Powell 2.0?

He seems happy and seems to have good mates at the club when you see social media but who knows. What will be will be I suppose. We’re in a decent spot now with French in the bag so if he goes it could be worse.

I personally hope he stays. His form is getting better by the week and in a team with more go forward and more creativity next season, he could be pretty special for us.

This

With a full off season and who we've signed for next year he could have a few very special seasons with us.
If he'd rather chuck that away to be around his old stomping grounds, well....

This “rumour” for me is an absolute load of cobblers starter maliciously by a Cas fan with a clear agenda and grudge.

Zak is very happy at Wigan, you only have to watch him when he plays to see that. He has been one of the best, if not the best player for us so far this season. If you’re unhappy at a club you don’t play as well or as enthused as Zak has for us.

His performances will only get better with the players we’ve brilliantly signed up for 2020. His link play with French and Hastings in the halves and J Burgess and Manfredi on the wings will be central to our style; you can already see it now to a certain extent, more the basics of whats to come in 2020.

He plays with a smile on his face and consistently well. If that’s a player who is rumoured to be unhappy then stone me dead.

Powell will be much better than McShane next year after a year with Lamb.