Just seen Wigan's team which is strong and includes several first team squad members in Hopkins, Lever, Murphy and Austin.

what does that say about sam hopkins? you would think this is the perfect time for all the first squad be together and bond.

Was thinking the same thing myself. Unless they are giving him match fitness....?

After being a part time player in his career so far I'd expect it being initally difficult catching up to the fitness levels and pace of the first team.
In this first season I can see him having the odd game for us but spending some time on loan.

That wasn't an issue for Chris Hill or Alex Walmsley when they stepped up from the Championship so I doubt it will be for Hopkins either. I would agree with you about him looking likely to go out on loan though, as we are expected to send some down to London and he is starting off a few places down the pecking order in our squad despite the departures we have had. Regular appearances for them (or anyone else in SL) on loan will be much better for his development than sitting on the sidelines waiting for a chance to play for us while heading down to play for South Wales most weeks.

I'm pretty surprised that Hopkins hasn't gone to Florida and is spending this part of pre-season with the u20s, as we obviously haven't signed a 23 year old to play anywhere other than our first team, but I think SW uses tactics like this to make new recruits realise just how hard they need to work to get where they want to be. Scott Taylor, for example, although younger than Hopkins, was brought in with a much more enhanced reputation and cost a significant transfer fee, yet he was regularly shipped off to South Wales at the beginning of last season, and it did him no harm.

Personally im very surprised by this , Sam has been training regularly with all the first team Squad for a few weeks now , he was even training volunterally with the Squad at Total Fitness in Wigan , I spoke to him there and he said he was looking forward to getting some first team appearences this season .

Catalan 0 Wigan 18 half time.

will this be put on wigan tv? any updates on how the players are performing?

Final score Catalan 0 Wigan 38.

Any match report or list of scorers available anywhere?

Tries - Tierney, Doran, Sharrett, Thompson, Higginson (2) , Moore

Goals - Murphy (5)

Callum Wright MOM

A bit of a report and scorers www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news Easiest way is to follow @WiganWarriorsRL on twitter #u19stour

A bit of a report and scorers www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news Easiest way is to follow @WiganWarriorsRL on twitter #u19stour

Quote ="jonh"Any match report or list of scorers available anywhere?'" Highlights available now. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcPJjHduIOU

Quote ="jonh"Any match report or list of scorers available anywhere?'" Highlights available now. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcPJjHduIOU

ref tried his best to keep the score down