I’d only really put much faith from the outside backs we have in Hardaker and French and both of those are missing, so it’s certainly not our strongest team. Other than those two it’s just Havard missing (who’ll be a top 17 player possibly).

We’ll see how we go this season. I think we’re an unknown quantity in many ways because the signings aren’t household names and the head coach is inexperienced in the position. It might just be pre season optimism but I have a decent feeling about how it will pan out. All things considered (form, fitness, selection) we’ve only really lost Hastings from last season and a half fit/half interested Oliver Gildart. The rest either didn’t play or weren’t good enough or both. We’ve also let go of possibly the worst coach Wigan have had in my time watching the club, so with a bit of luck and a couple of the signings coming off I think we’ll improve.

The biggest issue we could face is many of the clubs look stronger, including Warrington.