Smithies isn’t leaving .

If he was don’t people realise the announcement would have coincided with the Thompson announcement,

Announcing Thompson now gives the fans a boost and another reason to be vocal and behind the team on Saturday. Smithies won't be announced (If he is going) until seasons end. Can't imagine Peet would wan't that kind of distraction. It's counter productive to what is the biggest 2 weeks of the season.

Thompson Cooper Havard Byrne Dupree Ellis Mago Hill O'Neil Leeming Powell Farrell Walters Smithies Nsemba Isa Shorrocks plus next in line from the academy, going to be an awful lot of disappointed forwards next season unless we are going to announce some departures

I'd imagine Hill will be going out on loan somewhere for a full season next year.

Wonder if there are any clauses in the contract if Thompson doesn't ever get back to full fitness.

Intrigued by the comments on here I popped over to Red V.

TBF they are mainly fair comments and not a lot different to when Williams signed for Warrington.

Look on their Transfers and Rumours thread not the Thompson one

Looking at the prop rotation I’d say as others have said Hill will be going on loan, possibly somewhere like Wakefield or Fev.

I can also see a scenario where Thompson is rested for pre planned spells throughout the year in order to ensure he remains clear of his historic head injury issues.

It will allow us to rotate props and keep them fresh.

I asked his dad years ago I think he should play for Wigan is words- "He will never play for Wigan".
Luke lived opposite me in Appley Bridge.
What a signing.What a team we have next year (bloody good one this year mind).

I'm very sure they have. Trying to work it out is the intriguing bit.