I half expected this mabye to try some new moves out?

I did think there would be a few of the young lads in

Imagine lining up against that as only part time players.....

I actually feel sorry for Sheffield if we go out firing on all cylinders!

IMO only more harm than good can come out of this game with a lineup like that. cant see what positive will come out of it for our first team players.

I'm wondering if Maguire has said that after last weeks poor first half showing he wants them to go and perform as they have trained to.

Sounds feasible.

Could be a sort of "advanced training session", where the players get to work on both the patterns and the techniques, while the odd error *shouldn't* be as critical as doing that in a SL match.

Well MM has not been particularly happy about the attack recently and so perhaps he sees this as an opportunity to work on it against non-SL opposition?

It also keeps them ticking over for the game the week after so this will keep them in the groove.

In any case I'd be surprised if Farrrell and maybe Walker don't get a run so I don't think it will be a normal first team with just O'Carroll rested. I like to see the younger players get a chance but you can't over do it (but I will be disappointed if neither of those two play).

Dave

Surprised at how strong we are but would have liked to have rested key players especially with a Giant double on the way. But on the other hand we won't show disrespect to Sheffield and we have every chance of getting a good score.

If the match was at home I'm sure we'd see more of a mix of younger players.

However away from home MM obviously doesn't want to take any chances.

Can't fault him for wanting to take the cup seriously.

I wanted to see some young players and a closer game so I'm a little disapointed.

He will break records.

Sheffield will get absoluted hammered.

I can actually see Sheffield holding us (relatively) in the first half. Maybe 20-4 or 6 at HT.

In the second half, we should be well on top, and I can see us running up a good 30 to 40 points after HT.

Obviously, Sheffield could surprise us all, but if they do, I would expect Waney to strip the paint from the walls and MM to drop the entire team in favour of the kids for the Quins game.

Leaving them to watch the new coat of paint dry presumably

I really hope that we dont get any injuries and see this backfire.

Pat could set a cup points scoring record, easily, given his current strike rate.

Still, its refreshing to see everyone behind the coach, had Noble named this squad.............

Basically, if we lose we're out.
I still think we could win if we played our whole reserves team TBH.
If anyone desperately needs resting they can be rested for the Quins game which isn't as important as this game.

Insightful.



So why would we not play some kids this week then? Resting to many against Quins will see us lose, had they held the ball/had a fair crack from the ref, they would have beat Saints last week.

St Helens were poor last week though.
Quins were definately improved but if we play like we have done at home all season they won't have a chance IMO.

I agree, but I dont see the logic in you wanting to play a full strength team against a championship club on a great big pitch, but then rest players against a SL club.

Me neither.

You'll score 100 points.

Maguire is the boss and gets paid for what is best of WRLFC if thats playing a full strengh side against a weaker side he is not dis-respecting the cup/sheffield, i cant see sheffield seeing a SL club in their home town/city for a few years so why deprive the sheffield public of seeing the top of league team.

Whilst I apreciate the sentiment, why is 'giving the Sheffield public the chance to watch a top of the league team' in any way in the best interests of WRLFC? Not sure I follow that logic...

We too (Saints that is ) have also put out our strongest side and our fans are of the same opinion as most of the wigan fans, in that they were hoping to see some of the young players in action.

We rested a few at Barrow at the same stage in the cup and we were lucky to win. They played the better rugby.
I can't fault Maguire so far and I'm not going to start now. Plenty of our young players are getting good experience on loan so they don't need to play for Wigan unless there are injuries.

If anyone wants to watch the young lads play go watching under 20`s and under 18`s . In fact under 18`s play warrington at orrell on saturday i think

Nah he said why on the lastest wigan warriors podcast, its simply that hes treating it like every other game an putting his strongest side out