In an article in the BBC News R/L page Tommy Makinson says that the Saints are now so powerful in the forwards it is frightening.

These are the names mentioned.

"Sia Soliola, Anthony Laffranchi, Alex Walmsley, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Willie Manu were regulars last season.

And Samoa international Mose Masoe, Richard Beaumont and Kyle Amor have all been added during the winter".

Adding James Roby to them, does it make it a pack to be feared by a young inexperienced Wigan pack ?.

The only player of the above named players who would improve our squad is James Roby.

Wonder how long it'll be before that Giraffe gimp turns up?

I would take Walmsley and Soliola. They have improved in the pach without question but are not as fantastic as to be made out.

I'd take Soliola particularly now that Hansen has gone, I thought that he had a very good World Cup for Samoa.

Not much between the two packs, both have great strength in depth too.

Last seasons injuries have given quite a few Saints youngsters some games they would probably not have had this early on in their careers.

I'm thinking Thompson, Richards and Tilley in particular.

Looking at some if the other forums I do find it interesting that our pack is given such a lack if respect and not considered to be a threat.

Other forums are talking about the threat of Saints, Hudds, Leeds and Bradford.

Our pack was massive last year and comfortably the best unit in the league when it counted.

I personally think Saints, Wire, Salford, Hudds and us will be the dominant packs of 2014, can't understand the comments about Bradford who will be fighting it out in the relegation spots for me.

Whilst I would like another Prop I am still confident under the preparation if Wane and planning if Bitcon our pack whilst not containing as many star names will still be the best unit in 2014.

Come on mate, that just simply isn't true and I think you know it. Soliola would be a starting 2nd row at Wigan and Walmsley as an impact prop is better than Luaki, Powell, Dudson, Crosby. We can all love our club and be passionate but being so obviously biased is pointless.

As much as I hate Wigan, I'm not so blinkered not to realise that Charnley, Green, Flower, Farrell, O'Loughlin off the top of my head would all get into our side.

They'll have a good year Saints IMO. I don't think Masoe will be any great shakes tbh and I think he may be on a bit of a jolly but Amor will really improve them and Luke Walsh is meant to be an excellent halfback.

It'll be good to have a strong Saints side to compete against again.

I agreed with Walmsley but not with Sia Soliola, don't get me wrong he is a fantastic player but i still wouldn't want him at Wigan because we have a lot of unknown talent in the 2nd row. Walmsley on the other hand is apart of the new bread of English prop forwards that are coming through, Very tall but heavy and can make meters with 2 or 3 defenders on them. But we don't seem to want impact props at Wigan any more since Madge showed them to be liabilities in the squad, i hope Walmsley develops into something a lot better than an impact player he certainly has the talent.

God honest truth i would want Walmsley and Roby from saints but that is it.

I like Walmsley a lot but I would not swap him for Crosby or Dudson.

Agreed that was a daft comment. I'm really looking forward to getting back to competitive good Fridays. The Wigan - Saints derby has taken a backseat for a few years IMO with Warrington being the bigger rival, I reckon that will change next season