Thats the Observer Exclusive.

As for Finch. I'm understanding he is off back home. But we shall see.

It would be a great shame to lose Finch from super league whether he'd have signed for wigan or not. He's shown himself as a true character of the game and he's made us chuckle on a few occasions with his blatant stalling tactics. Great reader of the game I hope the players can pick his brains while he's still here, there is much to learn from this top calss pro

Good news, but it's not Finch unfortunately. Poor lad, it should be wonderful news and it is, it's just not what we'd hoped the annoucement would be.

How long is the deal for MM? 5 years? I would expect so as he is one of Waney's favourite players.

Great news!

Brilliant delighted he is staying, he's been fantastic this year and will only get better - thanks Micky Mac

Glad to see Micky Mac signed up, well deserved. Hope it's long term.

I would say McIlorum is the most improved player in Super League this year and has probably earned the right to start for England at hooker with Roby as interchange.

He has certainly suprised me.

Any word on the length of the deal?

I have got a copy of the Observer and it doesn't say how long the deal is.

I'd like Finch to stay but it's more important to sign McIlorum on a long term deal than Finch. I can't believe how much he has improved. I even prefer him to Roby for his all round game.

I like McLlorum, I think he's always been decent player but seems to have gone up a gear.

Roby obviously sets the bench mark for hookers and would be interesting to see the head to head stats of the two this year and last.

(super league website hasn't got the head to head function anymore )

2 completely different players and in an ideal world they'd be in the same team. It really wouldn't be fair for either of them to only play 40 mins though.

The stats between Roby and McIlorum would sway heavily towards Roby, only due to Saints over reliance on him.

Purley speculating if it doesnt say how long the deal is. So when wiogan release the officvial news, the observer can say as exclusively revealed in the observer.

Just journalistic spin

I've got the last 3 Head to Heads on SKY+ if you want to watch them?

Thanks for the offer but I'll pass.

To be honest, Wigan thumping saints three times points to nothing between the the two hookers stats from last year and this year.

Like I said, I like him.

I've been talking about how good McIlorum is for the past for the past four years and have been pilloried on the Saints site for it. I must be a visionary.

This is better news than resigning Finch imo.

I have to say I never really saw him as a long term Wigan hooker. He never looked to have that x factor you need in such an important position at a club like Wigan. I am made up that he has proven me wrong.

Wane deserves a tremendous amount of credit as does Mic. I think Wane has given some of the Academy lads that confidence and backed them which has seen them reach the potential he knew they had. Mic is now a vital part of our team.

Ennis is a player I rate highly for the Bulldogs and I see Mic developing like him. His ruck play has improved massivly this year as has his delivery and he is now leading us round the park far more. I would like to see him add a kicking game and we will be looking at a hell of a hooker.

Well done Wilkinson.
Completely overshadowed what should've been something celebrated by the masses.

Great news which fell completely flat on arrival.

I think McIlorum's got a very good long kicking game from dummy half but it is underused atm. I think the final string to his bow that he needs to work on to become a more "complete" hooker is try-scoring. He doesn't get many, he possibly needs to learn to back up the play better.

Sensational season so far from him though, leads us round quickly, gets the ball out to the halves when there are plays on all backed up with tough tackling. I think Phil Clarke talks out of his

most of the time but I think he was spot on when he said during the Leeds game that he thinks a lot of why we are looking better than last year is down to how much McIlorum has improved. Obviously there are other contributing factors but having a settled 80 min hooker and half back pairing definitely isn't hurting.

Agree about his kicking game - didn't he get a 40-20 not long ago (Wakey game, maybe?)

I think it's more down to our attacking structure that he doesn't get more tries...we generally don't need the KFC type (#bargeoversaints) tries, and break more often out wide than down the middle, where he'd be more expected to be in support.