Owen Farrell

[josie andrews]

Our forwards look pretty formidable for next season and I don't envy Matt Peet in making team selections if most of them remain fit.

What, though, are our options in the backs? Numbers 1 to 7 look nailed on with Keighran replacing King. Beyond that, from last year's squad, we have Eckersley, Douglas, Thornley and Hampshire as cover now that Cust and Astley have left, other than the 'part-time' backs like Isa, Farrell, Shorrocks.

Fantastic what we are doing in the forwards but are we a bit thin in the backs if/when injuries occur?

Thornley has supposedly signed for Wakefield

[Fan4Fifty]

Our forwards look pretty formidable for next season and I don't envy Matt Peet in making team selections if most of them remain fit.

What, though, are our options in the backs? Numbers 1 to 7 look nailed on with Keighran replacing King. Beyond that, from last year's squad, we have Eckersley, Douglas, Thornley and Hampshire as cover now that Cust and Astley have left, other than the 'part-time' backs like Isa, Farrell, Shorrocks.

Fantastic what we are doing in the forwards but are we a bit thin in the backs if/when injuries occur?

Thornley has supposedly signed for Wakefield

Thanks for the update Josie - didn't know that but makes the options even more limited. Any news on Hampshire's future?

[PoppaG]

Thought I'd read that he'd signed on to go round again

[Charriots Offiah]

Thought I'd read that he'd signed on to go round again

Hampshire has.

[Fan4Fifty]

Thought I'd read that he'd signed on to go round again

Hampshire has.

Thanks for confirming. Would we also expect that the likes of Farrimond will get a squad number and behind a bigger pack be more likely to get game time, if, for example, Harry Smith were unavailable?

[Charriots Offiah]

Thought I'd read that he'd signed on to go round again

Hampshire has.

Thanks for confirming. Would we also expect that the likes of Farrimond will get a squad number and behind a bigger pack be more likely to get game time, if, for example, Harry Smith were unavailable?

I doubt that but I can see the lad going to another club on dual registration terms. He is a cracking player but he needs to developed carefully. I think 2025 is more likely but I suppose you can never say never.

[The Pearl1]

Just to add a bit of context, pre Nsemba & Eseh Jr signing, I was told there is still plenty of cap space available, so whoever mentioned a big signing that isn't Farrell it may still be possible. I read an article somewhere I cant remember where (apologies) and it stated that Wigan still have a marquee spot unused (not sure I can believe that however) Id assume we are close to the cap with the squad we have but there may be a few clever loopholes being utilised.

Heard nothing more on Farrell but its pretty strange the level of chat that's around the move and the usual media suspects are staying quiet, it almost seems like they have been embargoed by the club, Matthew Shaw is never usually this quiet when it comes to the big deals/rumours of.

Matt Shaw doesn’t think it’s happening

[fozzieskem]

Just to add a bit of context, pre Nsemba & Eseh Jr signing, I was told there is still plenty of cap space available, so whoever mentioned a big signing that isn't Farrell it may still be possible. I read an article somewhere I cant remember where (apologies) and it stated that Wigan still have a marquee spot unused (not sure I can believe that however) Id assume we are close to the cap with the squad we have but there may be a few clever loopholes being utilised.

Heard nothing more on Farrell but its pretty strange the level of chat that's around the move and the usual media suspects are staying quiet, it almost seems like they have been embargoed by the club, Matthew Shaw is never usually this quiet when it comes to the big deals/rumours of.

Matt Shaw doesn’t think it’s happening

Farrell is to important to union for them to be letting him go they'll need his experience and like shelob in lord of the rings it's hard to get out of the web of money that he's on over there.

Shaw is rarely wrong that's for sure

[southportcdm]

Having watched him closely again last night I just don't see him being big enough for a 13 despite all his other qualities. I'm sure he's bigger than e.g. Shorrocks but he can't be more than 14 stone which would be borderline. I know lots of people will say that our Faz (Ginger Pearl) isn't very big but he's exceptional in other areas. Does anybody have an accurate playing weight for Owen?

[Charriots Offiah]

Having watched him closely again last night I just don't see him being big enough for a 13 despite all his other qualities. I'm sure he's bigger than e.g. Shorrocks but he can't be more than 14 stone which would be borderline. I know lots of people will say that our Faz (Ginger Pearl) isn't very big but he's exceptional in other areas. Does anybody have an accurate playing weight for Owen?

6’ 2”, 14st lbs.