Luke Thompson in particular looks in phenomenal shape. Dupree seems a little slimmer as well.

The strategy of allowing some of the bigger names like French and Field additional time back home has been a really smart one.

Looking around social media these past few weeks, Dupree looks to have been working hard and looks trim. Sam Eseh and Harvie Hill also look in really good nick. Eseh in particular looks far more athletic.

We really beefed up Eseh in the last off season. He went from being a naturally big athletic lad to a big muscular lad. Must have put at least 10kg on in a short space of time. All probably part of the bigger picture but I think it affected his performances and contributed to his injury.

A year getting to grips with his body and s second Wigan off season I’m expecting to see him make an impact this year. I don’t expect him to be playing every week but I think if Mago needs a rest or is injured we will rotate him into that impact off the cuff role.

Hill for me looks to lost a bit of “puppy fat” and looks all the better for it. I’ve got a feeling that he will kick on this season and he could be a gem that a few people have forgotten about. Eseh is the one lad that I really hopes gets some first team rugby for us this season as I think he has bags of potential and I love his aggressive style.

I think he'll play a handful of times in the lower intensity games but unless there's some longer term injuries in the front row that give him an extended run, I could see him looking for a move for more regular rugby in 2026. We might have this issue with a few other players like Hill, Farrimond, Forber, Douglas- whilst Wigan might love to keep them as it gives us such great squad depth there will come a point when playing a back up role won't be good enough for them.

Hill is the player I probably most want to see kick on in 2025. I think he's a terrific young player but he's in a position that is absolutely stacked and sometimes you need circumstances to just fall your way to get a sniff. He's moved up a spot now with Cooper gone and when a chance comes his way, he'll really need to jump on it. Like you, I have a feeling he will and make himself hard to leave out.

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I think both lads have the ability to play at the top level. Eseh has size, power and a good offload whilst Hill has got great lateral movement at the line and good hands.

To be honest I see all of those players, and Eckersley, being first team regulars in three years and I think they are aware of that.

They could be but my point is it would require other players to leave and Wigan will likely have some tough decisions to make. Some of the decisions might be made for them if certain players opt for NRL moves. Maybe on some level Kris Radlinski might think it would make things a little easier if some players do make that decision to open up some spots. E.g. Jack Farrimond can't be a first team regular unless one of French or Smith leave. Forber would need O'Neill or Leeming to go. Zach Eckersley will have an eye on what Wigan decide to do with Adam Keighran. Hill or Eseh likewise with the current front rowers.

I appreciate its a squad game and opportunities open up throughout the season. But ultimately I think we have a number of players who will soon be too good to be satisfied with being squad players who only play when injuries occur or when the regulars need a rest.

Looking at some of the videos and pics Mago looks in great shape, even with Cooper gone there's tremendous competition for the prop spots and it shows