Now that we have 2 more prop forwards, Joe Philbin to starting second row is our best option. He played there in the Academy and, if I remember correctly, was a regular try scorer. The back row was as limited as the front last year and this would make it far more dynamic and a good replacement for BMM. Hughes to loose forward but not at the same time as Jason Clark in any game. More playing time for Longstaff and Doro too where possible.

Your comment reminded me of the academy grand final back in 2014 where he scored a hat trick and was unplayable and got MOM in a losing side. Think he had played a few first team games by then but could be wrong. wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=4517

Your comment reminded me of the academy grand final back in 2014 where he scored a hat trick and was unplayable and got MOM in a losing side. Think he had played a few first team games by then but could be wrong. wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=4517

I still think our best option is Toby king to second row as he is a strong line runner who can pass the ball.

Looking at the team sheets highlights how few make it through from the Youth set up I include Wigan in that.

Has he got the engine to defend and run for 80 mins or has he now finessed the "human wrecking ball" tactic? I dont see him drawing and passing to his 4 & 5 which is my biggest gripe with Hughes, play reaches him and it stops with him 9/10.



Philbs as a 13 (aka extra prop) and a mobile 2nd row instead of Hughes could work, draw em in the middle and then go outwide to a GI etc might be fruitful

He’s been most effective as impact prop Even though he was initially a backrower, he doesn’t beat our crop of current backrowers imo and hasn’t shown enough ball in hand to warrant changing my opinion as a future prospect either. So no from me.

Let's see if the new props earn their places in the match day 17 before suggesting one of our 3 best props gets shuffled about.



This is an option for sure but butler and mulhern need to make an impact to make price have to shuffle and accommodate them. I'm absolutely sold on King to 2nd row and have been since price was forced to play him there after the restart, that was the most dynamic and balanced that the team has looked for a long time. Unfortunately we have since let Gelling leave and brand has gone out on loan so we only have Inglis and mamo really as capable centres if we take King out. I like longstaff and wrench could be decent too but that's not a great deal of cover. Realistically we need a new second row or centre in place of Jason Clark but that won't happen until next season now.



I cant see price doing anything other than currie and hughes in 2nd row with Clark at 13, dull, slow flat and predictable rugby with halves having very little to work with, underused centres and wingers being used as wide props. He's not the messiah, he's a very negative boy.

God no, leave him at prop. I'd rather throw Robson in at second row and Hughes at 13.

Butler and Mulhern are gonna be great for us and will massively improve our forward pack, with Sita and Doro in reserves and Latu watching from the sidelines until he leaves at the end of the year.

And jesus christ leave King in the centres, he's brilliant there and closing in on an England Jersey at centre. Yeah he played well at second row but leave him at centre. Inglis and King at centre for me.

Quote mailman="mailman"Your comment reminded me of the academy grand final back in 2014 where he scored a hat trick and was unplayable and got MOM in a losing side. Think he had played a few first team games by then but could be wrong. wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=4517'" This makes me want to watch more youth level rugby. Grand Final's with that many tries!!

Quote mailman="mailman"Your comment reminded me of the academy grand final back in 2014 where he scored a hat trick and was unplayable and got MOM in a losing side. Think he had played a few first team games by then but could be wrong. wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=4517'" This makes me want to watch more youth level rugby. Grand Final's with that many tries!!

100% correct. Worth listening to what former Wire coach Tony Barrow has to say about King on the latest 'What Bevan' Podcast.

ironically, i think there were more ex wire players in SL than wigan last year from those 2 team sheets. 6 to 5.

From memory I think Wigan had George Williams, Joe Burgess and maybe Ryan Sutton who were in their final year of the 19s but had broken into the 1st team already by then.