Probably deserves a thread of it's own really, rather than derailing the Lockers one...

For me there isn't a ready made replacement for Lockers so I'd go with a more mobile forward there. Someone who's happy to tackle all day. Isa or Partington.

Farrell and Bateman are both very dangerous runners out wide so i think it would be an error to move either of those to the middle.

I’d agree, I like the idea of starting with a forward such as Partington/Harvard and then bringing on TL to play at loose.

I think Isa is a decent shout, he's been excellent this season.

I think Isa will keep a starting shirt, so it’s just if he’s at 11 or Bateman and then the other will drop in at 13. Willie Isa resurrected his career at Widnes playing in the middle and it’s something we’ve missed a trick on here IMO. Circumstances have probably meant we’ve not had many opportunities to do it but we should do now. I say all that, I really like Partington in there as well and then we’ve got Smithies, so there are plenty of options.

I think Isa is better in the middle. Just let him put his head down, carry the ball and hit people.

He's not the threat on the edges that Bateman, Farrell and Greenwood are and you don't get the best out of them in the middle.

Partington, Havard and Smithies are the other candidates but I'd be happy to stick with the most experienced Isa and rotate these guys with props.

I'm interested to see what they do with the 13 shirt given it's only been worn by two players in 25 years. Do they want to try and keep the prestige or just give it to Isa for example.

Also is there an obvious new captain?

Captain, Bateman or Powell for me. Farrell would be a lot of peoples choice but I don't see him as being vocal enough.

I wonder if they’ll really go in to a new era with a bang and give Bateman the 13 shirt and the captaincy. The only thing making me think Bateman may not be in the running for captaincy is that he’s yet to work under Lam. If it isn’t Bateman that it’s Sam Powell all day for me. I think it’ll take his game on another notch or two.

Sam Powell captained England Knights and would be an obvious candidate for me, but it depends what we see TLs role as. If he's a starter then he's probably captain.

Wonder if Greenwood will still be with us next year? Obviously on the outer before lockdown but he’s been steady off the bench since. Saints couldn’t handle him.

I’d give Bateman the captaincy and the number 13 shirt. But I’d play him at right second row.

Isa will do a job at loose. Him and Powell in the middle of the field will give us bags of energy in defence.

Isa, Oli P, Smithies, Havard, Farrell (with JG backrow), Bateman, even Joe Sharrocks who I have been really impressed with this year.

We’re not short of options and someone will take the opportunity I am sure.

Agree about Shorrocks he's still young but long term could be a good option at 13 good ball skills and good all round game

I'd probably give the number to Bateman so you're not putting the pressure of expectation on anyone else to be the next Lockers/Farrell. In terms of who actually plays loose I'd be looking more towards Partington or Havard depending on form. Hard to say who to give the captaincy to as I don't know most of them that well, my gut says Farrell though. One club man, never heard of him being in any off field trouble, consistent enough that you know you will want to pick him every week he is available. Other candidates I dismissed:

Leuluai - Not keen on someone being a captain for just a year.

Bateman - Off field stuff and I'm not convinced he has the right temperament for it. Sometimes you need a cool head.

Powell - I'd rather him just focus on his performances. He's had a good year but I'm not sure he's quite in the 'You will never want to drop or sell him' category.

Hardaker - Off field stuff. Also not convinced he's in the above category.

Sam Powell is the hooker. Doesn’t make sense giving him 13, I would however have him as captain tomorrow.

For me it’s got Bateman’s name written all over it

Didn't Farrell deputise as captain a good few years ago v Hull(?) and get sin-binned? Not the most auspicious start to his captain-ship



As someone said previously, Faz's not much of a talker or shouter, Bateman might not have the coolest of heads to take it on and Powell would be best concentrating on his game.

For me, I'd give it to Hardaker - yes he's had his years of being an absolute nob-jockey - but I think he's really settled down at Wigan and matured over the past few seasons, seems to be well liked and respected by other players and got bags of experience.

Faz has been captain many times I think

John Bateman is the new captain, it was in the terms of the marquee contract he signed

Also been captain of the the Academy team.

I’m not sure who gets the number 13 next year but for me I’d expect Harvard, Partington and Smithies all to get lots of time there depending on the opposition.

It is clear that there will be a change in style that we have been used to for the last 19 years although we have transitioned with that this year with Locky missing so many games.

I like a secondrow rotation on Isa, Faz and Bateman and I think we need more go forward from a 13 than Isa gives and Bateman again isn’t a big meter maker down the middle, he tends to make his meters running intelligent strike lines on the edge.

Captain I think will probably be Bateman or Powell. I’ve been impressed with the leadership Hardaker has brought to the team and long may it continue but he seems to be thriving and enjoying his rugby at the moment so I think it’s best to let him continue focusing on that.

Faz doesn’t need to be captain to lead by example, and as others have said he is less vocal on the pitch and assuming Tommy’s role will be reduced in 2021 I don’t see how he can get it.

A player who looks more than capable of stepping into a leadership role is Singleton, whilst his on field performances have been great I’ve also been really impressed with his talk he seems very vocal when the lads are huddled together and the lads seem to listen which shows real confidence from him. I’m not throwing his name in for captain but certainly expect him to be part of a leadership team along with Hardaker, Tommy and Faz.

As Wigan have signed a half back in Field and already have Hastings and Smith in contention at half back, could Leuluai be retiring or taking up a new role at loose forward, especially with his tackling.

A 13 needs to do more than tackle they need to have a strong carry too.

I can’t see Tommy in that role.

If we want a ball playing #13 is there a case for playing Hastings there?

Not big enough

Hastings isn’t small by any stretch. Very much in the Barrett style and size of half/13.

I agree with Rouges to a certain extent he has the game to play there but I personally don’t think it would be a wise move.

I wouldn’t like to see him having to do the donkey work in defence I think it would fatigue him and blunt the stuff he is good at, ie organising and pulling the strings.

I think Lam is going to go for size and aggression in his pack which is also why I think we will see a traditional Prop style player move there.

Hastings is the best HB in the comp imo. We'd be crazy to move him for anyone.

Play forwards in the forwards! It's not like we don't have enough of them.

If any of them are good enough to play the ball playing role, great. If not we'll have to adapt. It's not like we haven't got used to playing without Lockers.

I think we've struggled in the forwards at times recently, there's no way i'd be sticking halfbacks there.

100%. I think about what team I’d pick to start next season at times and I struggle to fit in all the forwards I’d like to as it is.