Wigan Warriors: Who is still out of contract?

Hastings, the reigning Steve Prescott Man of Steel, followed livewire full-back Bevan French in pledging his future to the Warriors.

This season, they have also retained highly-rated young prop Ethan Havard.

But there is still some business for the club to sort out.

Officially, Joe Burgess and fringe forward Jack Wells are out of contract, though this website has been reporting for weeks that both have agreed a deal with Salford Red Devils.

In these instances, it is usual for the recruiting club - in this case, Salford - to make an announcement, rather than the outfit they are leaving.

Captain Sean O'Loughlin is also out of contract and is set to hang up his boots and take a role on the club's coaching staff.

Kiwi halfback Thomas Leuluai's deal is up and, even though another half - Jai Field - has been recruited and promising Harry Smith is waiting in the wings, the 35-year-old looks likely to sign a new deal with Wigan for 2021.

That leaves prop Ben Flower, who - as this website reported this week - was due to join Toronto Wolfpack until their expulsion from Super League. He is now in the sights of ambitious Championship outfit Leigh Centurions.

Centre Oliver Gildart is under contract with the Warriors for 2021 but he has a clause allowing him to leave at the end of this month if an agreed (but unrevealed) transfer fee is paid. The England Test ace has never shied away from the fact he would like a crack at the NRL at some stage in his career.

And on the coaching staff, head coach Adrian Lam is expected to be retained for another year after guiding the club to the league leaders' shield.

Lead strength and conditioning coach Paul Johnson had already confirmed he will be leaving, to join Leigh and focus on his online training business, while it is understood assistant coach John Winder is also out of contract.

Of course, there may still be some movement in the winter months with the contracted players, but finalising the futures of Leuluai and Lam would seem the first priority.

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