Re: Matty Russell

[NeeNawWarrior22]

I too am not convinced by Russell, especially as a replacement for Sam.

[Owd Codger]

According to Shaun Wane, Lewis Tierney will be Sam's replacement & will be give a chance to play before the end of the year

Josie,

Why then has Ryan Hampshire been playing at full back in the academy?

Wane to give youth a chance

Lewis Tierney, the eldest son of Wigan legend Jason Robinson, will get the chance to fill Sam Tomkins' shoes before the end of the season, Warriors coach Shaun Wane has revealed.

As Wane prepares to give scrum-half George Williams his Super League debut in tomorrow's game against London Broncos, he says the 18-year-old Tierney is edging closer to making his bow.

Wane says Tierney, who been with the club since he was 12, would have had his chance by now but for injury and is a potential replacement for Tomkins if and when the England star leaves for Australia, which could be as soon as next season.

"He's just back from a serious knee injury but in the two games he's played since then, he's been outstanding," Wane said.

"I think in 12 months you'll see a possible full-back there. He's a good player. He has the same attributes Jason had.

"If he hadn't have been injured, I'd have rested Sam and put him in but I will give him a go this year.

"I need to look at him because you can train at a high intensity but until you play, you never know."

Tierney, whose father was man of the match in the first Super League Grand Final in 1998 and was a member of Wigan's Challenge Cup-winning teams of 1993 and 1995 among more than 300 appearances for the club, was one of half-a-dozen juniors to be promoted to the senior squad at the end of last season.

James Greenwood and Williams became the first of the six to break into the first team when they played in the Warriors' Challenge Cup win over Leigh last month and the 18-year-old Williams will get his chance in Super League tomorrow alongside 20-year-old Sam Powell.

Wane's hand has been forced by injury to regular half-backs Matty Smith and Blake Green but he is delighted to be able to give more youngsters a chance following the successful integration into the first team of forwards Dom Crosby and Greg Burke this season.

"It doesn't overly disappoint me because I am genuinely looking forward to seeing Sam and George to see how they go," he said.

"If it doesn't work, then I know. At the end of the day, it's a Super League game, it's not a Challenge Cup semi-final.

"I didn't think twice about it because I don't want to start juggling the squad about.

"I'm excited to see the young kids play. They train a lot at our level and I don't expect a dip. I want it to be seamless.

"That's what we've been doing with our kids this year, it's the kids that did the job in that tough period."

London coach Tony Rea is forced to make three changes to the team that knocked Bradford Bulls out of the Challenge Cup, with prop Antonio Kaufusi suspended and hooker Tommy Lee and former Wigan winger Chris Melling both injured.

Their places are taken by Alex Hurst, Shane Rodney and on-loan centre James Mendeika.

Catalan Dragons have 39-year-old Steve Menzies back for the visit of Castleford Tigers tomorrow.

The centre or second rower has missed the last four matches with a broken finger and makes a timely return as the Dragons look to avoid a third consecutive League defeat for the first time since 2011.

The match will be Castleford's first under new coach Daryl Powell, who says his squad have been freshened up by their week off caused by the club's early exit from the Challenge Cup.

"The players have been fantastic," Powell said. "They worked pretty hard on Saturday and were in this week and looked good, sharp and fresh so I think the few days off that they had last week has done a good job for us."

http://www.superleague.co.uk/article/27 ... ve-youth-a

There you go WW, I was on my phone when I posted before travelling back from London so didn't put the full interview or the link

Josie,

But where does a great prospect like Hampshire fit into Wane's plan when Williams is selected at half back and Tierney is seen as a full back?

[josie andrews]

Hampshire is a half back

32. Ryan Hampshire

Stand Off

Ryan is one of six new plyers who have been promoted to train with the First Team squad for 2013 agreeing a 4 year contract with the Club.

He joined Wigan from amateur Club Normanton Knights.

Ryan figured a couple of times in the Under 20's in 2012 and for the Under 18's scored 15 tries in 12 appearances. Ryan is also a useful goalkicker.

http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WPlayerP.aspx?id=67

[The Eclipse]

In my opinion, Matty Russell is a far better player than Lewis Tierney.

[Owd Codger]

Hampshire is a half back

32. Ryan Hampshire

Stand Off

Ryan is one of six new plyers who have been promoted to train with the First Team squad for 2013 agreeing a 4 year contract with the Club.

He joined Wigan from amateur Club Normanton Knights.

Ryan figured a couple of times in the Under 20's in 2012 and for the Under 18's scored 15 tries in 12 appearances. Ryan is also a useful goalkicker.

Josie

So was a certain Sam Tomkins!

If he is indeed a Stand Off, why has he not been selected ahead of Williams who like Powell is a Scrum Half.

http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WPlayerP.aspx?id=67

[josie andrews]

I'm not the coach Whelley, but watching young George & Sam on Saturday, you wouldn't notice that Green & Smith were missing from the team. They just slotted in so well, as have all the other young lads who have aged this season.

[TSB]

Matty is returning to play for Scotland in the World Cup.

[cpwigan]

Matty is returning to play for Scotland in the World Cup.

TRUST TSB :exc:

[Kittwazzer]

Someone posted on Facebook Ancient & Loyal page that he's signed a 2 year deal with Wire!

[East Stand Faithful]

It's on RLfans as well and has been announced on the Wire website.