They could be anything from 2nd to outside the play offs for me. Their squad is very decent, with a few class players who would get in anyone's team. Their depth isn't as good as ours and their best team isn't as good as Saints', but if Burgess going there gets the best out of them they'll be a formidable outfit.

I may be way off the mark but I feel Saints are entering a bit of a transitional phase, which started last year.

They have lost a genuine talismanic leader, key players are a year older and they are relying heavily on a lack of injuries in the pack.

They are still going to be up there but I think by their usual standards until they are able to undergo a bit of a rebuild and some of their quality youngsters get experience at SL level.

I think we'll see a hugely determined Saints side and that will be dangerous. The issues for Saints could come via a few injuries, especially in the 1,6 and 7 spots, as well as at prop. If they lost 3 or 4 lads at the same time in those areas there could be real issues but if they have a decent season on the injury front, I think they'll be right in there for the LLS again, as well as the other 2 trophies on offer.

As for Wire, I saw an interview with Sam Burgess after the Leigh game and from thinking he'd fill them full of confidence and belief and get them in the top 4, I thought he looked pretty shocked at how they'd played in that game and seemed a bit lacking in confidence himself. That was hugely surprising for me because I expected him to be brash and full of bravado even if he didn't quite believe it. Maybe it was his way of giving them a reality check and I do still think he'll get them finishing somewhere between 3rd and 6th over the course of the season.

1-Wigan
2-Catalan
3-HKR
4-St Helens
5-Leigh
6-Wire
7-Leeds
8-Huddersfield
9-Hull
10-Cas
11-Salford
12-London

WCC-Wigan
CC- Wigan
LL-Wigan
GF-Wigan
Wigan could do this with the squad we have,in my opinion.

My previous statement re-wigan winning the lot,is only based on my belief that Wigan have great squad and could possibly win the lot,maybe not but they have a good chance.
In no way does it denigrate from other teams who will be aiming to win the lot,but the playing squad and the coaching set up at Wigan at the min must mean we have a good chance in my un biased view of course.
I also would like to add I am a optimistic man aswell.Sooner talk things up than put them down.

I can't see past Wigan and Saints.

Injuries will prove key, be interesting to see who'll be in the 2nd row against Hudds, can't see Farrell/Isa being risked

Presume you meant Cas, not Hudds.

Neither can I Zig,but I do think we have a much better squad depth than St Helens,if they lose a couple of players say Lomax or Welsby they will struggle more than us losing a couple.

Nah, next weekend's friendly, should give us an idea who's next in line after Farrell/Isa

I think Field and French would be an equal blow to us. Hopefully we stay healthy and it will take a good performance from somebody in a knockout game to beat us.

I am not as convinced we are as far clear of the rest as is being made out by some pundits

If we stay healthy I agree it will take a very good team to beat us.

We do have a stronger depth so I don't think it will hurt us much as Welsby or Lomax was injured.
We arn't miles in front but realistically we have a bloody good squad.

Watch us go and lose against Cas

Don't know what kind of teams Cas/Hudds had out but it looked a decent result for Cas at the weekend, can't see it being a walk in the park (Peet Out just incase)

And to back you up-"jobs for the boys" (Rads,Tommy,Lockers,Tomkins,Danson out,just in case part 2)

Can't argue with that.

Counter-argument would be we played big chucks of last year with lots missing and both halves carrying pretty bad knocks and the WCC disruption and only missed out on PD anyway. We've also added some pace to the backs in Blake which was badly missing. And, whisper it, but Clark in for Roby might give us more with the ball - scored a long distance try at the weekend which we haven't seen from a hooker for a while!

If we stay relatively healthy we'll be right up there. Wigan's depth is in the pack and you can't argue that you can carry absences in the pack better than us (and anyone)!

We'll probably be starting the season with Paasi, Whitley and Wingfield not making the XVII - all very good players so we can carry a couple of injuries once Paasi back before being into the kids - but I think there are a couple of good lads to come in and out and I'll be interested to see the likes of Noah Stephens get some minutes.

Saints won't be far off, if Roby and Walmsley have another year left in the tank and if Dodd can find his pre-injury form they've every chance, solid back row and as FTV says some much needed pace added

Pretty sure Roby doesn't have another year in the tank

Not playing anyway

Clark will be an improvement on Roby the 2023 version.
I have a hunch that Walmsley, Lomax, Percival et al will have a “point to prove” particularly as we seem to be virtually everybody’s tip to be top dogs in 2024.
I think that Lomax at captain will also add weight to you starting the season strongly.
Interesting times.

I think we need to remind ourselves Saints were a flys di*k away from reaching both finals last year and they took the LLS down to the last day. They did that while playing pretty poorly, coming off the back of an emotional/physical challenge of beating Penrith away and with a couple of big injuries (although everyone gets those). They won’t be falling away this year unless they get an injury crisis that lasts throughout the season and if they have a fair wind with injury, they’ll be up for the lot.

My bad, Lomax

Saints will definitely be up there.Still a great team couple of injuries might scupper them if it is to key players.
Clark could turn out to be a fantastic signing with his pace.
Tell you what looking forward to the derbies should be some class games.

Agree that Wigan & Saints are the teams ahead of others, however, just keep an eye out on the roaring Leopards right behind you.

Well you did win one trophy last season (1 of 3 domestic trophies,if you can count the LLS)