The 18th Man column: The rule change I'd love to see in rugby league...

The scrum looks set to be scrapped when the season restarts. Is there anything else about the game you’d axe or change?

Robert Kenyon: I’d like to see more substitutes on the bench, possibly 10 with fewer substitutions allowed (maybe four) and once you’re off you’re off. Then the bench will be tactical rather than subbing by the clock. I’d also allow players to tap and go if there’s no markers and allow striking at the play the ball, I’d bring in Captain’s Challenge, and with that comes the video ref, the referee doesn’t have the ability to go to the screen, it’s up to the captain to challenge it. I’d bring in the six more bell rather than stopping the game for a penalty.

Sean Lawless: The scrum was probably the biggest area in the game that needed looking at, although making them competitive would have been my suggestion. The times we are in, however, mean it will be scrapped and the game will get quicker – sounds great! In terms of change something from the game, I don’t like golden point, I think sometimes the quality of a draw can be diminished by a kicking contest. In knock out games, there can be an argument for golden point but, during the season, I think draws are an important element of the league structure.

Darren Wrudd: Oh my, where shall I start! I think that there is quite a bit that needs changing with our game, but most of it is with the upper management of it as a whole. On the field, I think the scrum serves a proper purpose in that it takes six players out of the line and can open up play with spaces rounds the edges. The biggest issue is that they are not contested. Now I do get it, that a hooker can only strike at the ball when it goes in and not before, but when it is thrown sideways in between the legs of your own prop forward, the other team gets little chance at all.

Get it in the centre line and play for it. Any cheating and it’s a penalty, a proper contested scrum. Other changes for me would be the management. I would get rid of the RFL as a governing body of Super League altogether and leave them to the lower leagues and amateur game. The Super League needs to be totally self-governing and in charge of its own destiny.

Get rid of the international aspirations of American and extra Canadian clubs, but promote the UK game and do everything to fill stadiums with what we know is the best team game in the world.

With stadiums filling up and demand high, the TV money would be far better, clubs could invest more in the facilities and squads so the game would grow. I could go on if anyone has a spare hour or two, but that’s a start.

Jon Lyon: One change I would love to see is accountability, certainly more visibility, from referees. We all know what a tough jo b they do, I wouldn’t like to do it and I take my hat off to them, we wouldn’t have a game without them. That said, they do make mistakes, as do all players and all coaches. The difference is players and coaches are immediately thrust in front of cameras after games and often fined for telling the truth about decisions we have all seen and know they are correct about, and only talking about because they have been asked the question. Wouldn’t it be a pleasant change to see a referee come out after the game if there were a particularly contentious decision and either hold their hands up and admit to a mistake, or, just as likely, explain to everyone why they made the decision they did and show it was correct.

Who was your favourite former Wigan coach?

Robert Kenyon: I’d have to say John Monie. Though he was very successful as a coach, and in those days we had a star-studded line-up, I think how good he was as a coach goes under the radar. Let’s not forget he came back in ‘98 and won the inaugural Grand Final and got us to the Challenge Cup final only to get beat off Sheffield.

Sean Lawless: I can’t look past Michael Maguire as my favourite Wigan coach. The way he came into a club that became very good at getting to semi-finals, added Paul Deacon and made them the ultimate machine. The discipline and cultured that was installed during Maguire’s time at club is perhaps the biggest impact I have seen a coach make upon a team.

Darren Wrudd: Now that’s a tough one to answer as several coaches have given so much and in different ways. Happy Frank Endacott was such an endearing chap to listen to, Graeme West stepped in at a crucial time when the fans petitioned for him and won everything for us, including the first World Club Challenge by an English club in Australia. But I suppose my favourite is coloured by recent experience and Shaun Wane is a hard act to follow. From player to coach, Wane has Wigan stamped all over his CV and brought a certain element of pride into the players’ mind. That could be a young lads’ debut at 16 in the academy sides, or a first-team debut at the DW in front of your home fans. His knowledge of the intricate technicalities of the game were incredible and, by surrounding himself with the correct people, he enhanced every aspect of Wigan Warriors as a club.

A dedicated family man with great values that were passed on to his charges, and it was a point that he wished to produce good young men both on the field and away from it with high moral standards. A genuine chap, a great coach and a joy to consider his commitment to our club and now our international side.

Jon Lyon: A very tough question. Graham Lowe had Wigan playing some phenomenal rugby and John Monie continued where he left off, both with playing style and trophies. Graeme West was extremely popular as both a player and coach, and Michael Maguire changed the way we played and was very successful in a short period of time. I can’t look further than Shaun Wane, though. He didn’t have the chequebook Lowe and Monie had, but his passion for the club shone through every time he spoke. More importantly, he maintained his commitment to promoting local youth to the first team, which is something Wigan fans love to see. I wish I could have listened in on

some of his half-time team talks, as the amount of times he turned a half-time deficit into a victory was staggering.

Have you got a ‘second’ team in Super League... or the very least, a soft spot for one of them?

Robert Kenyon: None whatsoever, not even Catalans or Toronto. I don’t have a second NRL club either, I just float from season to season with teams I liked to watch, this season being Canberra with the ex-Wigan contingent.

Sean Lawless: I guess Wigan officially have a second team in the Super League who go by the name of Catalans Dragons. They have so many former Wigan players now that it is hard to not look out for their results and want them to win whenever you see them on TV. There has always seemed to be a good relationship between the clubs, from the first ever match through to loan signing of Michael Dobson (I still don’t know how that transfer worked!) and to the Nou Camp. A really good relationship and echoed by the fans, I think.

Darren Wrudd: I nearly choked on a cup of tea when my wife Glenda said Saints, but then she clarified that it was Justin Holbrook she had thought seemed a nice chap – so we can talk again. As far as soft spots, I have thought of a few but most are tinged with how we are treated as away fans. Opposition fans are supposed to be harsh, so no surprise when the Hull, Castleford or Wakefield fans give us grief. Warrington are just jealous, Saints are... Saints, and I simply can’t stand Gary Hetherington at Leeds, so they can do one. I suppose Salford is a side I admire. Their coach Ian Watson seems a really decent chap and gets the best from his squad who often out perform all expectations. At times they looked like a Wigan A side and this too helps as you don’t stop supporting a players career just because he moves club. So if any at all would be considered a soft spot, Salford would be my choice.

Jon Lyon: I have always been a huge fan of Warrington… no, I can’t say it and keep a straight face! Apart from last year’s play-off semi-final, I always want to see Salford do well. I feel sorry for the players and staff at the club that they are so poorly supported, and that their best players are cherry picked by “bigger” teams every year. They always try to play entertaining rugby and Ian Watson seems a fantastic coach. Despite it being at Wigan’s expense, it was good to see a different club make the Grand Final against St Helens last year and I hope they can find some consistency and challenge for the play-offs again this year.