4 year deal.

A risk but one that could pay off handsomely. If it doesn’t work out, I think the rest of the pack is good enough to compete for honours anyway. I’ll look forward to watching him.

Well, not convinced but it is a statement signing so will have to see how he goes injury-wise.

Welcome to the club

That is an outstanding signing. He is a world class front rower despite his injuries. For years we’ve lamented the lack of size, strength and depth of our pack. We can’t say that anymore. Some serious competition for places next season.

My only gripe is that the Mago re-signing seems utterly bizarre. If I didn’t see a spot for him before, I really, really don’t now.

Now it's confirmed, where does he play? 13 over Smithies, or as a prop?

Personally, I wonder if we'll go with 3 props on the bench instead of a 2nd row option. That however would mean one of Nsemba or Walters missing out most weeks?

The numbers just don't seem to fit?

I think there is still a place for Mago. I still think Smithies on his way to aus. Must having a rotation of a big lad in Mago, Thompson and say Ellis at 13 would punch holes in teams.

A strange one the Mago deal I agree. Having cap space and a quota spot going in to 2024 would’ve seemed a wiser move IMO but we’ve gone with the option of having a 7th choice prop taking that space. I can only presume they fancy that point of difference he can bring compared to the other props. We’re in the fortunate position that he doesn’t play unless he is at the very top of his game. We may see that really kick his backside in to gear in the off season/pre season.

Wigan Warriors are delighted to announce that Luke Thompson will join the Club on a four-year deal from 2024.
The 28-year old will make the move from Canterbury Bulldogs for whom he made 42 appearances since leaving St Helens in 2020.

Thompson won two Super League Grand Finals with St Helens in 2014 and 2019, and was the Harry Sunderland Trophy winner in the latter. He was also named in the Super League Dream Team in 2018 and 2019.

He has made seven appearances for England, including featuring in the Rugby League World Cup 2021 last year. He also made three appearances for Great Britain on the 2019 Lions tour.

Warriors Head Coach, Matt Peet said: “Luke is an outstanding acquisition for the club. He is a quality front-rower and brings a wealth of experience.

“We look forward to welcoming him and his family to the club.”

On signing, Luke Thompson said: “I can’t wait to be back playing in the Super League with crowds up and the squad strong.

“It’s a really exciting time to be joining Wigan. They’re playing great rugby and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”

..

Maybe the coaches/management have a Plan and know what they're doing?

Yeah quite possibly. Does it mean we can't chew the fat on it?

It’ll never catch on

Dont be daft!

Love a pantomime villain.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!

Redvee seem convinced (from the few posts there are) that he has only signed for the money. Did Saints make a play for him do you know?

It's a great read over on knucklevee. 'He only signed for the money'

No sh11t sherlock. A million quid in his sky rocket and the opportunity to shove it down McManus' throat. Bet he regrets slating him in the papers now.How dare he not take a pay cut.

If he's fully recovered it's a worldy of a signing, if not it's probably an awful lot of money sat in the stands, wonder if SW will pick him for England this Autumn considering how little he's played this year

I just find it amusing that, according to some, its only for the money

Maybe he wanted to come home and he only really wanted to sign for Saints which, as an ex Saints player, wouldnt be surprising but they didnt want to sign him so he settled for 2nd best?

Who knows.......

Someone has to be leaving off the back of this. Not necessarily for salary cap reasons but there's too many players and they're all players who would expect to play.

My best guess is Ellis or Thompson might be playing #13 next year. Hope not.

In the words of Frano Botica "Why would i want to play for St Helens"

If it is Smithies as many predicted. (It was only a matter of time) then it's better to happen now than in a couple of years when he would be irreplacable. Gutted to lose Smithies if he is going and he goes with my best wishes if so but my word, Thompson doesn't half cushion the blow. He is a fully developed battering ram.

Smithies isn’t leaving .

If he was don’t people realise the announcement would have coincided with the Thompson announcement,

Announcing Thompson now gives the fans a boost and another reason to be vocal and behind the team on Saturday. Smithies won't be announced (If he is going) until seasons end. Can't imagine Peet would wan't that kind of distraction. It's counter productive to what is the biggest 2 weeks of the season.

Thompson Cooper Havard Byrne Dupree Ellis Mago Hill O'Neil Leeming Powell Farrell Walters Smithies Nsemba Isa Shorrocks plus next in line from the academy, going to be an awful lot of disappointed forwards next season unless we are going to announce some departures

I'd imagine Hill will be going out on loan somewhere for a full season next year.

Wonder if there are any clauses in the contract if Thompson doesn't ever get back to full fitness.

Intrigued by the comments on here I popped over to Red V.

TBF they are mainly fair comments and not a lot different to when Williams signed for Warrington.