They are interchageable though. Whitley or Batchelor coming on would mean Matuatia may play at prop. Knowles has moved to prop this season when Bell has come on occasionally.

The back end of the season relies on some luck too. If say Wigan lost French and Smith at the same time then that's a massive blow regardless of how well the forwards are playing. Conversely if we lose Welsby I dread to think where we would be with how he has been playing lately, he's been looking like the Welsby of old, scoring and assisting lots again.

I agree about Walmsley, I actually think the new contract we've given him may come back to bite us, he's picking up inuries quite regularly now. Paasi is a huge bonus and the continued development of Delaney. Stephens has been the surprise and may feature more than we first envisaged. Took it to Catlans and showed some great feet for a couple of breaks.

Just my opinion of course but I'm not a big fan of that sort of rotation. It's good to have as an option in case of in game injuries etc. but I don't think it's ideal as a first port of call. Having only one genuine prop and then rotating back rowers to make up the shortfall doesn't strike me as a title winning option. As I say, just my opinion though.

Injuries will undoubtedly play a part which is why I think your returnees only coming back at the business end could count in your favour. They can't get injured from the stands. That said, it equally could count against you in that there's an extra burden on the senior players still there and, of course, players coming back could be offset by different ones getting injured. I genuinely think this is where our advantage lies this season. We've been able to rest and rotate our pack without too much drop off. I know that's no guarantee in itself, but it's a good place to be.

There's no doubt that Wigan are now very strong in the forwards, an area where they had been powder puff for some time. The fact that Walters (someone who I would've loved us to sign) couldn't make the 17 for the Final is indicative of this. They have size, athelticism and some aggression now in defence. Havard, O Neill and Nsemba all still very young too.

Interesting question Stu, following the England Academy squad announcement. Both Wigan and Saints have 5 each. Much is being made of the 'golden generation' at Saints. Is Wigan's actually as strong? I understand Stephens, Vaughn and Sambou aren't included but Eckersley, Douglas and Nsemba more than counter that. What's your take?

I expected Wigan to have a decent number of selections as their Academy has always been strong. I don't know much about them apart from obviously Farrimond and Keith Mason's lad. I do believe though that Nathan Lowe is very highly rated within the club- a classy centre who needs to work on his defence but is a good player.

I expected Dagnall, Whitby and Robertson from Saints but I don't know as much about the other two. It seems like Davies has had a good season and from the tries I see each week, he looks a decent back rower.

Nathan needs a few games in the pack to develop his tackling technique. Having said that you can coach defensive skills not so much attacking flair.

Very true. The description I was given was he is similar to Newlove in style and class. That's obviously a huge shout.