Wigan Warriors - wiganrugbyfans.com • 2021 Squad & Balance

I appreciate there has been a lot of debate about financial impact of Covid and it’s effect on the squad moving forward into 2021 whilst we have been in lockdown and not having any SL to watch.

Thought it would be worth looking ahead given the speculation to look at a forecast of the squad next year.

I’m working on assumptions and strong rumours of the following -

Gildart, Joe Burgess, Tommy, Locky, Ben Flower, Greenwood, Navarrette, Escare& Hastings all gone from the squad that started 2020.

I’m working on the strong rumours of Bateman returning.

I’ve not included either Shorroks as I’ve no idea on their circumstances.

I would say I’m expecting us to work with a smaller squad and versatility will be key. I’ve placed each player in a potential ability to play that position to a reasonable standard and who has played in that position before to a SL standard. The first name is the strongest in that position/most likely to start in that position.

1. French, Hardaker, Hanley, Halsall
2. Marshall, French, Hardaker, Hankinson, Halsall, Hanley
3. Hardaker, Hankinson, Bateman, Halsall
4. Bibby, Hankinson, Bateman, Halsall
5. Manfredi, French, Hardaker, Hank, Halsall, Hanley
6. ?, Powell, Hanley
7. Smith, Powell, Hanley
8. Clubb, Partington, Bullock, Byrne, Clark, Harvard, Wells
9. Powell, Borough, ?
10. Burgess, Partington, Bullock, Byrne, Clark, Harvard, Wells
11. Bateman, Isa, Wells, Pearce Paul
12. Faz, Isa, Wells, Pearce Paul
13. Smithies, Bateman, props as above

Possibly missed some out but to me it highlights that whilst we will be losing potentially 7 big earners and under the presumption Bateman signs we could put out a very competitive team capable of challenging on all fronts with the versatility we have by only bringing in a half to replace Hastings which is a must.

I’ve personally also thought if we can afford it we need to be looking at prop, however I’m now seeing a case for centre given that analysis. I guess it depends on who is available and at what price.

What has surprised me also and I’d never thought of this is that we could do with Tommy doing the rounds again for 1 more year if his body is up to it, to give us depth in the halves and hooker.

In my head this analysis makes sense to me...I hope you understand the principles of what I’m trying to do even if you disagree.

Statistics: Posted by jonh — Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:39 pm

---