I have been told by a very source that he has signed for Bath.

His current injury is a bad one and I can only assume that the news hasn't been announcement until he has been given a clean bill of health. Bath are happy for him to recover using the the backup team at Wigan.

The same source tells me that Charnley also wants away preferably to Union.

Together with Burgess that 3 of our starting three quarter line up from last season.

I can only assume that unless there are signings that Tierney will step up to the first team.

Not sure where Gelling stands re the disciplinary issue prior to the GF.

For me we desparately need at least one new centre and another winger preferably one of whom who can kick goals. I believe we did approach Pat to come back for one season but the Catalan deal from a tax point of view was to good for Pat to turn down.

As much as I like Bateman he isn't a centre and he gets more involved when he plays in the forwards which for me is much better for the team.

I hope that IL and KR have got some plans to bridge these gaps in the three quarters.

But Charnley and Sarge are still Wigan players. All just rumours.

RU salary cap rises to £6m, then £6.5m, then £7m over the three seasons after this. We haven't got a prayer.

Might as well make Wigan Warriors a RU club and join them! Derby day v Sale!

Which is why IL leaves an open door for players who leave....



I can see a Wigan RU side in the not too distant future.

Maybe it's the only way we could ever reach our potential.....



I'd personally love us to be an NRL franchise side. A few months camped over there with a block of home games over consecutive summer weeks. With the increased cap space we could target the majority of the English talent with a best of both worlds type offering - NRL rugby with a primarily UK fixed location.



A kind of Super 14 set up of sorts.

The Daily Express carried the same story about the increases in the Rugby Union Salary Cap for the next couple of seasons it went on to say.

[u"An investigation into breaches of the cap last season have resulted in appropriate financial settlements, rather than points penalties for the Clubs involved" [/u



Its as if the Union are saying to the Clubs you can do what you want as long as we get a cut.

15 S Tomkins

14 Manfredi

13 J Tomkins

12 Lockers

11 Charnley

10 Williams

9 Micky Mac

8 Ben Flower

---------------------

I struggle after that!

I think there's a real appetite among the bigger RU sides to scrap or increase the cap further.



Ourside of the international side they have a cracking European competition. The only issue is that, uncapped French sides are dominating it with the ability to bank role big money moves for the best players. Cash rich sides like Leicester are desperate to match them.

Smith could play 7 and Gelling and Sarge would make it also. 11 players from a squad of 30 or so isn't a bad start imo.

I meant as well as, not instead of!!!! I damn near choked on mi pie!!!!

Never mind finding players, would we have enough Hoorey Henries in Wigan to watch the team ? , I also think Mustard Tiger should be allowed back to add his well balanced views to this discussion.

Williams is far too entertaining to play at number ten in Union.



Sir Kev will be perfection! He will kick from the hand, kick goals and kick drop goals and that's basically all you need to be considered a good fly half.



Sinfield would be a hero worshipped, 100 cap, multi millionaire if he had moved over to Union around the time of Johnny Wilkinsons retirement.

Nicky I think you are right with your assessment of Sir Kevs chances in R/U, as long has he hadn't been tainted by Rugby League beforehand.

All talented players but none would set the RU world alight in that formation. We have seen that Joel was quickly overtaken in the pecking order by the likes of Burrell. Manfred and Charnley suit RL and strong running wingers are ten a penny from the South Sea Islands. Lockers is less of a centre than JT. Mickey Mac is not going to challenge as a scrum half in union, and Flower is just the wrong size and shape. The only real prospect would be Williams.

The crux of the argument seems to be that any RL player is so much better that they could walk into an RU team and we know that that rarely works. An alternative argument would be that most RU players could be taught RL if we got them early enough and vice versa. For the likes of Charley that boat has already sailed.

I think history shows that it's backs that can make the transition far easier then forwards. I don't understand why Union ever go for Rugby League forwards because the game is far too complex to pick up quickly enough to make a move worthwhile.



It's not doing ourselves down to say it's easier for Union players to adapt to League then vice versa. It's an easier game to understand and it's that simplicity that makes it a better sport to watch.



I've said it before and I believe it's true- some league players are too good and too skilful for Rugby Union. The ideal example is Sam Burgess. The sport isn't good enough for him not vice versa and he will always be wasted playing a game that doesn't allow him to showcase his ability.

Was told last night that Isa has been signed as a potential successor to SOL at 13.

If true then I am assuming that Bateman will become a centre permanently.

Personally I prefer Bateman in the forwards where gets more involved in the game.

Bateman will 100% be a centre permanently. Probably left centre long-term when Sarge leaves.

If he plays there from the start of 2016 would probably keep Sarge out, who do you think will be on the left wing.

Depends if we release Sarge before the start of the season (which I think will likely happen).



Barring any surprise signings I think we will line up as:



Tomkins

(R-L) Manfredi Gelling Bateman Charnley



Gelling has some making up (and growing up) to do but he is still a quality centre when fit and Manfredi probably sealed his right wing spot this season so Charnley will be moved.



Developing Bateman as a centre is one of the reasons we were so confident releasing Thornley I reckon.

I'd be happy at that. Bateman has shown that although he was originally primarily a defender, he has ball skills too, and, crucially, a 'rugby brain', which have enabled him to find himself at home playing in the centres.



Also if Charnley on the left wing doesn't pan out, I'm sure we could put Gildart there. He's certainly not short of pace or skill. And yes, Manfredi certainly deserves to have cemented his place on the right.

Hopefully Gildart will get 12-15 games next season ready to be a starting centre in 2017.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Gildart start as first choice next year. He gave him the last 8 or so games and was obviously impressed enough to trust him in a play off semi and the grand final.



Stranger things will have happened then Gildart and Bateman being given the 3 and 4 shirts (what I think happen).

Well, yes, G and B didn't do too much wrong at the end of the season, did they?

Just seen an Ozzie news report saying Souths are in talks to bring Sam Burgess back and he wants to come back,although Bath want to keep him.