Don't think it was too bad (as a Leeds fan) but obviously hurt him so understandable sin bin in the present climate but don't think he should get a lengthy ban, thought Isa pulling at Golding's leg at the same time was more poor form and more annoyed at Williams early doors (5 mins or so) pulling off Golding's scrum cap that he went without for the remainder of the game as it was damaged. Given the issues around head damage and concussions you shouldn't rag off someone's head guard.

It's hard to criticise Powell because he does very little wrong. That said I don't think much is asked of him, he's basically a catch and pass man, no real kicking game and no real attacking threat running with the ball. He does do what Wane asks of him, so any criticism needs to be aimed at the coach, it's his choice to go with Powell, knowing his strengths and weaknesses.

Moving Sam from 1 would be the biggest error for me. He's a natural footballer, he knows when to link in the line, when to throw the cut out pass and when to engage the edge defenders. He's not got the pace to open up gaps like he once had, but he's light years ahead of Escare in this regard. Plus, he's better at organising the D with communication to the line. You lose this when moving him into the halves, not to factor in how many more tackles he'll have to get through, teams would target him in the line to tire him, hurt him etc.

Sam Powell is a great defensive 7. With Powell you don't have to protect him and move him out wide, he has experience of defending closer to the action without issue, this is underrated. However for me a 7 has to threaten the line, they need pace to go through the gap, and have great passing ability, Powell doesn't question the line, he doesn't put fear into the opposition with ball in hand.

Bateman v Leeds was impressive. can handle a range of positions including a ball playing lose. I was impressed with his lateral movement linking the halves, he can do it, he even, dare I say it, reminded me of Andy Faz with is movement, he's more than just a cart horse as a 13.

Yes, but even better IMO is Escare at #7 and Sam at #1. Forget the switcheroo and have TL and Powell as hookers, whoever starts and substitutes doesn’t really matter.

I'd go along with that summary, but surely the point is it's by no means restricted to Wigan. Could you not argue that many (most?) SL and NRL sides adopt a similar policy, with split halves ands a full-back helping link the play. Of course, what the rest of them don't have is Lockers. On the other hand, many of them offer more variety from dummy-half than we do.

I'd say most follow the structure but operate differently.

For example we opt for our props to find their feet, quick play the ball then dummy half out with quick distribution to the halves. Other teams like a 9 who is given the opportunity to run, scoot from dummy half if they chose or even jump from dummy half into a first receiver position, then start the play from there.

Roby, Clark etc are allowed to scoot when they see fit, Rob Burrow was fantastic at quickly scooting, almost sideways into a first receiver position allowing for the whole attacking line to move on one, subtle differences can be the difference in starting the play.

Other teams like their props to 'hit and spin' looking for the offload, others allow their props to push for yardage after contact, there's pros and cons to the subtle differences in how you employ tactics.

Others chose to use the 13 as a straight up 3rd prop, this nulls a ball playing link like Lockers, but does allow for the starting props to remain in the pitch for longer, as the drives, workload is split by 3 not 2 props.

There's so much to it, the structure is merely the foundations.

But playing Sam anywhere other than FB? crazy.