Wigan's transfer business 'done' says coach Shaun Wane
Tuesday 18 August 2015 17:29, UK
England full-back Sam Tomkins is almost certain to be Wigan's only recruit for the 2016 season, coach Shaun Wane has confirmed.
The Warriors could lose seven senior players at the end of the year but the re-signing of Tomkins, in place of veteran Australian Matt Bowen, and the return of Hull KR loanee forward Greg Burke are likely to be the only fresh faces.
Tomkins will return to Wigan on a four-year contract from New Zealand Warriors and will be the club’s marquee player for next year, with Wane insisting he will give more opportunities to the club's crop of promising youngsters.
"I'm not looking at one other player at the moment," Wane said at his club's weekly press conference at Orrell. "I'm very happy with my squad for next year. All the players get another year to mature.
"I'm more happy now than I was two years ago about the direction the club is going and the way we're sorting the juniors out. The club as a whole is in real good shape.
"I have the support of Ian (owner Ian Lenagan) and Rads (director of football Kris Radlinksi) and that makes me feel positive, whether I'm here or not in five years' time, we'll be strong."
Wane gave stand-off George Williams his big break this season and will again turn to the club's under-19s to replace winger Joe Burgess, who moves to Sydney Roosters at the end of the 2015 Super League season, and the departure of loan players Jack Hughes (Warrington), Scott Taylor (Hull) and Iain Thornley (Hull KR).
Wigan could also part company with hooker Logan Tomkins and forward Larne Patrick.
Meanwhile, Wane is set to recall Burgess and front-row forwards Dom Crosby and Taulima Tautai for Friday's trip to Warrington in the third round of the Super 8s and will make a late decision on hooker Michael McIlorum.
Burgess has missed the last two games with a knee injury, while Crosby and Tautai were late withdrawals from the team that lost to Leeds last week, after being injured in the final training session. McIlorum sustained a deep cut under his eye during the game at Headingley.
"We'll check on him at our team run but if there's any doubt, I won't risk him," Wane said of the England hooker.
"We've got a week off the week after so we can give him a good rest to recover from that."
Wane is still waiting to discover if England centre Dan Sarginson will play again this year after struggling with a hamstring injury.
"It's still up in the air," he said. "He's had his operation and he's recovering well. He has to have another small operation in a few weeks’ time which will give me an idea on the time line."