Just released a video on WiganTV explaining his decision to return home at the end of this season.

Here we go again!

Tweet from @RugbyLeagueNews:

No problem, he said quite a while ago he was likely going back. What we need to do now is keep Bowen on for another year (there's a clause in his contract, but I'm not sure in who's favour). Then we can go:

2015: 1 Bowen 6 Hampshire 14 Powell/Williams (bench hooker)

2016: 1 Hampshire 6 Powell/Williams 14 Powell/Williams (bench hooker)



That doesn't look too shabby at all to me as long as we can keep hold of Bowen. Losing them both in one year could be too much.

Hes rubbish anyway

I know you're a big fan of Hampshire and you want him in the first team ASAP but if his long term position is going to be fullback and Williams or Powell are going to be a long term half, then why would you have both playing in different positions next season? My guess would be Powell would be Green's direct replacement with Hampshire contuining as Bowen's understudy (if Bowen stays on).



We still don't know what the score is with Bowen. Hopefully all the announcements about Taylor, Bowen, Goulding, Dudson and the other off contract players will be made quickly.

They could at least make an announcement to say when they're going to make the announcement.

You're probably right, like you say I'm just a big fan of him and think it would be a waste to have him sat on the sidelines for the majority of another season when IMO he would give nightmares to even the top SL sides already if we gave him a run of full games. I also think it may be handy for him to initially get the experience of attacking at SL level without the added pressure of defending at full back, which can be a very exposed, unforgiving position

Losing him is understandable and suits both parties to a degree IMO although I wouldn't have been against one more year.



Totally different set of circumstances to losing Taylor who's departure really doesn't suit us at all and is pretty surprising.

We are now desperate to bring in some top quality players.



Tautai brings us athleticism that we lack in the pack, but we cannot continue to lose players and promote from within without expecting a drop off in quality.



I am comfortable for Powell or Rocky to step up but we need to add quality around them.



It is becoming a very concerning situation the player drain that we seem to be experiencing and if rumors are to believe will continue to experience.

I always wonder what Wanes thoughts on the situation are! He talks of trying to build a great side and how we're nowhere near yet and if that is his aim we won't get anywhere near unless we can try and keep a pretty settled squad for a number of seasons.



If I we're Wane I'd be fuming tbh and would be looking for a bit of clarity from Ian Lenagan as to what the future plans are. It's a very simplistic view to say Leeds keep their players so why can't we but seriously why is this?

Losing an Aussie to go back to one of the top NRL sides when his contract is up is quite different to losing say Hampshire or Taylor.



I'd say it is a year too early for us ideally, but it does mean that the very talented trio of williams, powell and Hampshire will all have significant targets to achieve in the next year - hopefully they are able to step up and deliver.