It all came down to money Phuzzy.

we could also give Isa another deal.

Doesn't sound too promising. That's 2 of our close season signings down for extended periods and the season hasn't even started yet

Injuries happen sadly. Touch wood, but the Eseh one isn't too concerning. We've got Cooper back ahead of schedule and, looking at the team Peet picked for Hull, Eseh wasn't even featured. We're well covered, even with injuries at prop.

Its certainly not ideal but so far at least there are no injuries that should last beyond late April/May. Plus whilst unfortunate, injuries are usually the main facilitator to younger players getting their chance and breaking through. Harvey Makin looks next in line.

My only concern would be another prop picking up a hamstring injury, especially if it’s another bad one. Havard and Byrne had them at the end of last year and another one going down would have to make you wonder if it’s something to do with how they’re being conditioned (says a fat bloke sat on his couch).

Very unfortunate. Wigan are hoping that Walters does not need an operation. It will still mean that he is out injured for 8-10 weeks!

In previous seasons it may have been a problem but the club has planned to a certain extent for injuries by having such a large number of forwards. Walters, Havard, Nsembe and Eseh’s return will be like having another pack of forwards available.

true, if you think about the jokes / comments made just after the end of last season, that we had 99 props etc etc

the difference is we have some class props and backup, with some good prospects still to come. Injuries are part and parcel of the game, and hopefully we are getting them out the way now and not the business end of the season

The reality is unless someone special becomes available we won’t be needing to sign a prop for a couple of seasons at least.

We also have 4 front line second row forwards it’s just very unfortunate that we have 2 injured at the same time going into the season.

We obviously have risks associated with certain players and NRL interest however in Havard, Eseh, Dupree, Hill we have the foundations in place to be very settled in the prop department for best part of a decade.

Mago 29, Thompson 28 and Ellis 27 all got a few seasons on them also.

Realistically we are only likely to lose Cooper anytime soon unless we move on Mago too.

It’s a great position to be in allowing us time to really focus on developing our young props that are already at the club.

Chan at the moment I’m not sure about but he’s another only 23/24 who has time on his side and certainly has the mental attributes in my opinion to really develop in the Wigan set up similar to how Isa did.

I agree with all of that. We have three props in their prime and a whole host of others that will continue to develop over the next few years. I think the club see Makin as a replacement for Cooper but that won’t be for a couple of years. The conveyor belt seems well oiled with respect to both backs and forwards.

What are your thoughts on Makin, Zig? He seems to be an explosive runner at academy level but, as he's not the biggest, do you think it will transfer to senior level?