With the season sadly coming to an end our attentions now turn too retaining our Super League crown in 2017. So on that note who would realistically (barring no injuries) would start the first league game in February?

My prediction

1 Escare
2 Burgess
3 Gelling
4 Gildart
5 Tierney
6 Williams
7 Leuluai
8 FPN
9 Micky Mac
10 Tautai
11 Farrell
12 Bateman
13 O'loughlin

14 Clubb
15 Flower
16 Sutton
17 Powell

With Manfredi, Sam, Joel, Naverette, Isa, Shorrocks, Bretherton, Forsyth etc all still vying for spots (and if you believe the rumours regarding Mossop & Crosby leaving for Salford and Leigh respectively) I believe our team in 2017 are in a strong position for retaining our crown. Already looking forward for next season roll on Feb!

Ps I'm a long reader of this site and once had an active account only to completely forget my account a few years ago.

Swap TT and Flower around and i think thats how we will line up first game next season barring further signings/injuries

Crosby is going to Wire not Leigh. Probably announced today.

I think the starting 13 is pretty stable. The question to me is, who is going to be next year's bolter?
Sutton forced his way into the team in 2016, so who will be the surprise for 2017?

My mistake an announcement I believe is imminent now he's returned from Jack Hughes's stag doo.

I'd like too see perhaps Marshall/Gabe Fell given a run out over the course of next season. Or perhaps Bretherton will kick on from where he left off with a big pre season under his belt? He surely has the physique and size to force his way onto the bench in 2017

I'm tipping Shorrocks to force his way to a regular bench spot next season if he isn't loaned out.

That's a good team now name you kicker.

A question I'd presume most fans would like to know. But who in our squad of 30+ is a candidate to kick bar Shorrocks who has past experience in the academy. Even then will he feature week in week out?

If I was a "fringe" player like Tierney who lets be honest once Manfredi is back will be forced out of the team. Then I'd be taking a leaf out of a certain Mr Richard's book and be putting extra hours in to force the hand of SW. It didn't turn out so bad for Pat did it?

I've seen this a couple of times now, Pat was an excellent winger in his own right not just some plodder who could kick goals.

Williams.

Kicked in the academy, kicked for the first team, will play every game when fit.

Would say he is the prime candidate.

I'm hoping Forsyth, but I always liked the look of Marshall in the U19 and reserves. And from what I saw on Twitter he seemed to be scoring nearly every time he played for Swinton.

I agree re Flower but would ask when is Joel coming back? If he's fully fit he's a cert for our starting 17 IMO.

There's rumours of Joel retiring isn't there? Would be a shame but if not I think he only makes the bench for now.

Manfredi will play right wing with Joe on the left. I reckon Flower will start with FPN, Clubb and Tautai off the bench. Joel might be a bench player as he could go into front and back row plus loose if required.
It's now been confirmed Sam will miss the start of the season but will MM or Joel. Thankfully Clubby has been given the all clear.
All in all that's a very strong 17 with massive strength in depth as well.

I agree with you about Joel. He will be playing in the middle from now on. If we got a season out of Joel and Lockers rotating at 13 I'd be happy.

Quite keen to see Forsyth. Higginson might step up too (last season was too early for him, but I think he has real promise), and Fell. One thing is almost certain with Wigan, someone will come through.