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Crompton predicts Irish revolution
Former Wigan scrum-half Martin Crompton believes Ireland could be a base for a Super League side in the future.
Ince-born Crompton is a former Ireland skipper and watched with pride last month as the nation made it to the knock-out stages of the World Cup.
Three Warriors players featured in their run – Pat Richards, Eamon O'Carroll and Michael McIlorum – which was eventually ended by Fiji.
The trio are due back in Wigan on Monday to start pre-season training after being given extra time off by Brian Noble following their exploits in Australia, and they'll also be joined by others who played in the competition over the next fortnight.
Crompton, who now coaches Blackpool Panthers, said: "Ireland were one of the success stories in the World Cup.
"It just shows what can be achieved with passion. The players were tremendous.
"Before they arrived in Australia, the Irish were written off as no-hopers, but they never once lacked passion, self-belief or character.
"They impressed a lot of people, and maybe there's someone in Ireland who is thinking to themselves, 'We can take this a stage further and look at eventually building towards a Super League club'.
"Personally speaking, I was made up watching the Ireland games.
"I was one of the pioneers who got the Irish up and running a few years ago."
Crompton wasn't quite as impressed, however, with the efforts of the England team, expecting so much more from Tony Smith's side.
He said: "It just didn't happen for them.
"I think for the future we have to get our kids into a winning frame of mind. They have to be told at an early age the difference between winning and losing.
"We seem too content at the moment to reward our kids when they are half-way to being the best, not when they are the best.
"That's a mindset we have to change if we are to get some success in the future."
Meanwhile, Warrington look set to wrap up the signing of Cronulla Sharks forward Greg Bird.
The 24-year-old had been linked in the Australian media with a move to Warriors, possibly with Tim Smith moving in the other direction.
But it's believed that was no more than speculation, with Wigan never seriously looking at the twice-capped international.
Bird is facing the sack at Cronulla after being charged in relation to an alleged assault on his American girlfriend.
Warriors face Warrington in a friendly on December 28 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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