Wigan Warriors • Rumours and signings v9

Grand Final winning teams tend to have at least a couple of experienced props around 30+ years of age. Our front row is still relatively young. Singleton is our most experienced middle and he's 29. Last year I thought we should have been in for Chris Hill because an experienced prop is just what we need. He's been outstanding for Huddersfield so far despite not being quite as good as he used to be.

Just because Cooper is past his peak doesn't mean he won't have a lot to offer us. Wire are bringing in two new experience props in Kasiano and Dudson so their need for experience won't be as great as ours.

We've also got some very good young props coming through the academy in Jack Bibby, Toby Brannan and Harvie Hill. When/if those players do get their first team chance it's better to bringing them into a pack with players like Cooper, Singleton and Ellis around them (though they'd probably be replacing whichever one of Singleton or Ellis happens to be banned).

As long as we don't go crazy and offer Cooper a bumper 3 year deal I think a short term contract for an experienced prop makes a lot of sense.