Wigan Warriors have been doing a lot right in the past 12 months.
They brought in a completely new coaching staff with Matty Peet, Sean O’Loughlin, Lee Briers and Shaun Wane heading a fearsome foursome whilst recruitment has also been spot on.
The likes of Patrick Mago, Kaide Ellis and Cade Cust have settled in seamlessly at the DW Stadium and bought into exactly what Peet and his staff are building at Wigan.
And, with May 1st now passed – which is when those players out of contract can now talk to other clubs – recruitment is a major drive ahead of 2023.
Sky Sports analyst Jon Wells talked about Wigan and their hunt for a potential new playmaker with Tommy Leuluai perhaps retiring at the end of the season.
“Mason Lino has been linked with Wigan, Tom Johnstone seems to be mentioned as a potential departee every year,” Wells said on Sky Sports.
“May 1st is a bid deal as it’s when off-contract players can talk to other clubs.”
In Lino, Wigan would have a terrific ball-player as well as a devastating runner of the ball in their ranks – and he can kick goals from anywhere too.
Of course, young Harry Smith is turning into a tremendous talent but perhaps a steadier head would be needed for the majority of games going forward until Smith takes over the reins.
Lino, however, is still a Wakefield player at present.