So, similar to the Magic weekend game, we go into it on the back of a good win, and Wigan come into it looking to make amends for a poor performance away from home.
As we know Wigan are different gravy at the DW, so I don't think current form counts for much, and with the absence of Ward, and the likely absence of Hardaker an already difficult task becomes even tougher.
If the pack can carry on where they left off against Saints we'll give ourselves a chance.

Most intriguing for me is battle in the backs, you'd have to say with the absence of Hardaker and Briscoe that Wigan have the edge in the pace department, and it will be interesting how McDermott shuffles his troops around if he has to. Jordan Lilley played FB for Hunslet today, so I wonder if they see him playing there in order to keep Watkins in the centres.

It's too close to call IMO.

I hope not....Watkins to FB for this one if Hardaker doesn't make it. Keinhorst to take his place in the centres.

Either way (as I have said elsewhere) I do think Wigan will win this one again. They seem to have the measure of us/raise their game for contests against Leeds

home win. much i'd love a win I think it means much more to wigan. at home they are still very tough to beat

I was wondering if Lilley at FB for Hunslet was trying an option for us in Hardaker's likely absence.

Probably will go with Watkins there but with Ward missing from the 2nd row (maybe other forwards might have a knock unknown to us) then we might not be keen to move Keinhorst away from 2nd row to cover centre, thus maybe we had a look at Lilley at FB.

Just as a matter of interest, which of Wigan's present squad would be a good addition to this Leeds team?

Burgess, Hampshire, Gelling, Sarginson, Tomkins. I'm not sure if they'd be first choice currently.

Farrell, McIlorum and George Williams.

What about Keinhorst to full back?

If people want him to play in the halves this could be a good indicator.

Its all the attitude of us on how this game pans out.As ever the Ape will have his side fired up and ready to redline as they always do against us, recent form is irrelevant.

I keep seeing things such as 'in the likely absence of hardaker'

But please forgive me if I am wrong, but the charge he would be up on would be a B no? Which carries 1-2 games, if he were to get 1 game given he's was punished at the time too, then he hasn't been infront of the disciplinary for the last 12 months, so he'd get the option of an early guilty plea would he not? Therefore he'd be available. ATM there seems to be more possible outcomes that would mean he could play than not.

Not worried about Wigan. Leeds win.

Apeman during the game, spouting expletives..!!

I am sure it will be Wigan's little pet referee Bentham on show.

Interesting last week. Thaler reffed 2 SL games, the Thursday night game and one on Sunday and Bentham only got a Championship game on Sunday to do. Was he demoted for some reason?

Sort of. Wigan were away from home. Same thing really

EPG on a Grade B carries a one match ban.

I would rather have Bentham than that little "mummy's boy" Hicks. He's a straight cheat that lad, not one I trust at all to be impartial. Funny how he admitted to mentally cataloging Danny Mcguire's complaints to him before giving him a yellow card for damaging his ankle ligaments on the Hull grub, yet responded to James Roby in the next game with, "alright, I'll have a look out for that" in response to Roby's complaining. The lad is a cheat, we need him reffing as few of our games as possible.

This would not surprise me at all.Would not mind Mr Roberts getting the gig instead.Thought he did a better job than Bentham when he came on as a sub for him in the challenge cup v Shudderfield.It maybe just me but I think we seem to get a raw deal in the 50/50 decisions with Phil B.Just have a look at MR B 's face when he is awarding the first try by Kallum Watkins in the CC v the giants!I thought he was going to cry.

Think Silverwood has been appointed

For Wigan, Bateman, Charnley, Clubb and O'Loughlin return.
Manfredi injured.

Wigan v Leeds games are always good games, looking forward to it.

The return of Clubb and O'Loughlin will be a big boost. Depends if they are both fully fit or coming back early.

O'Loughlin must only play about 50% of games, but is always back for Leeds games

It seems that way.

Must be the work of the Rugby Gods

Not true at all.
He only played in one of the three games v Leeds last year and has only played in one of the two so far this year.

Looking forward to a good game, I think it's edging towards a wigan win at the DW with the key changes in each team plus Wigan coming off the back of a poor performance last week.

Big win for Leeds. It's only Wigan.