Should we go for him if he becomes available?

He's treading a very dangerous line. Right now he could go one of two ways. Upwards and with distinction. Or complete self-destruct.

Big risk for a big pay packet.

Besides, it's props you need. Not full backs.

I've got more chance of being signed than him.
Good player but appears to be a total gob shoite.
I will show my backside at the top of wigan if we sign him during IL tenure

No, we definitely need a FB.

Ashton Golding, the young lad who played FB last week and was in the 19 man squad, played for the u19's tonight so that means Hardaker will be playing vs Wigan.

You might *like* a fullback. But you *need* a prop.

The value of a good prop outweighs the value of possibly every other position in the modern game. And it's not like Wigan have a nailed-on championship winning group of props to begin with.

Looking at the Saints vs Warrington game I'm struggling to see where one of Wigan's props gets a spot in either line-up.

Bear in mind that Wigan could barely make a yard in the centre of the pitch in the GF. And Saints pack is even stronger this year. Warrington's, too.

St.Helen's may be going pretty well at the moment but don't get too ahead of yourselves. Clubb would get a spot in both teams Prop rotation on current form although admittedly it would be off the bench. Mossop needs a few more weeks but going of his performance Vs Hull he would get a spot in the rotation of both at the moment and if he remains fit would push for a starting spot and Flower when he returns from his ban would also make both teams Prop rotation.

"Honest" Tony Clubb is precisely that. A first choice prop for a mid-table team.

Bear in mind that Savelio can churn out 180+ yards (plus tries and offloads) and he currently can't even make the starting line-up.

Before anything Wigan need to sign one, but more likely two, top tier props because all the talent in the world in the halves and outside backs matters little if your pack is getting squashed at the advantage line.

There have been all manner of excuses for why Wigan's form has nosedived since winning the GF. I'm not saying this is the sole reason - but neglecting the front row (in comparison to your title winning year) is a massive factor. Especially when you consider that relatively light guys like Farrell are more suited to making yards outside the centre channel.

You can't carry on conceding 6-12lbs per man in the pack in big games. It's putting enormous pressure on your backs to be the game winner every time.

I think, rather than looking at a game where one of Wigan's props was missing maybe looking at a more recent game would be good? How about Brisbane? Wigan's pack seemed to have done well enough there and again last week.

As for Hardaker, why would Wigan want another Hock on the books?

The grand final is irrelevant as Flower was off, Pettybourne isn't here anymore and Crosby is no longer a first choice prop. Plus we were a man down and only had one prop on the pitch at any time.

I'm more than happy with Flower, Clubb and Mossop as three of our four main props. The fourth prop position is where I'm not so comfortable. The jury is still out on Tautai, Patrick and Crosby are poor currently, Sutton and Greenwood too young to say yet. If a good prop becomes available I'd hope we would be in the mix to sign him.

As for Hardaker, not for me. He is a very good player but he has self destruct written all over him IMO, and isn't so good that I'd look past that like i would have with Long in his prime, for example.

This bashing of the Wigan pack is bordering on hilarious. The pack stood up to a very big Brisbane pack a few weeks back with no problem. Yes the pack could do with being slightly bigger but anyone who has been in a sport environment will know sport can turn round very quickly. Saints' pack is huge but there are ways to play against them IMO and I'm starting to see signs in that team that a loss is on its way.