An interesting point there. I remember an interview on the Wigan site last year regarding Tomkins (cant remember if it was with Noble or Lenegan) and they were asked what position he would play in and they said his true position in the 1st team hadnt been decided and that he could make a great Stand Off or Scrum Half, but could also be potentially a Hooker, Loose, Centre or Fullback.

anywhere he can't play?

Wing, Prop, Second Row

Swop 12 & 13 around and I'd go for that.

theres gonna be so much pressure on sam when he does get his chance....i feel sorry for him.

Theres no pressure on him at all. He needs gametime and matches to develop as a player.

I've said exactly that on another post, lets hope fans dont expect the new Brett Kenny immediately !!!!!!!

I think everyone just wants Sam to get game time and develop as his talent is there

If/When he finally gets his chance he just needs to stick to his strengths and do the basics right

Every player that runs out of the tunnel in the c & w jersey is under pressure, there is a high level of expectancy here, some big name players have not handled it well, playing for Wigan does mean something.

I'd go with this. Maybe Lockers to 2nd row and Tomkins at LF, why not try it Tomkins played a more attacking style of LF last when lockers wasn't fit. Maybe start with McIlorum and have Sam on bench and Tommy starting 7.

There would be too much change there. Tommy would bring could impact of the bench and the longer Smith and Sam are on the pitch together the more they can improve there partnership.

In theory if he only sticks to :

Not knocking on.
Makes some yards forward.
Good Defence when needed.
Has a good relationship with his half back partner.

(i.e. The Basics)...!!

Then he's an improvement on what we've had in the last two games.

Only Phelps has been ruled 100% out and with Bailey and Riddell managing to come back on i'd expect them to be fit but one would have to miss out for me anyway.

I'd go-

Roberts
Ainscough
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Leuluai
Smith
Fielden
Riddell
Prescott
Hansen
J Tomkins
O'Loughlin

subs
Paleaaesina
O'Carroll
Hock
McIlorum(i'd love to find a place for Sam Tomkins but McIlorum has to keep his place after Friday).

I would like to see Pryce go out on loan for a few months to get his match fitness because i fear if he came into our side at the moment he would be a liability and would lose a lot of confidence of which there doesn't seem to be much of anyway

I suppose Noble will look at the Cas game in one of two ways:

a) either a good game to blood Tomkins in from the start
or
b) a game that needs Lulu and Smith to start as 6 and 7 and build some sort of partnership

but, if Riddell is injured he'll probably go with plan 'b' from the start with, McIlorum @ 9.

Tomkins will probably be on the bench, coming on when McIlorum needs a break and slotting into 7 with Lulu going to 9.

TBH i'm not a fan of bringing on halfbacks from the bench. It just seems to upset the flow of the team...

1 Richards
2 Roberts
3 Goulding
4 Carmont
5 Ainscough/Pryce
6 S Tomkins
7 Smith
8 Fielden
9 Tommy
10 O Carroll
11 Hansen
12 Lockers
13 J Tomkins

14 Feka
15 Hock
16 McClorum
17 Pryce/Ainscough/Prescott

I'm unsure about starting Sam, but against Cas at home with injuries to Riddell it might be the right time.
I want to see as many young Wigan lads given a chance as possible throughout the season. Many players in the starting 13 are stale.
I want a team that looks full of energy and fight, I don't see that at Wigan anymore.

I really wouldn't care less if I never saw Mathers or Coley in a Wigan shirt again. I'm far more interested in Ainsough, both Tomkins brothers, Prescott and O'Carroll getting more first team game time. With more on edge.

Pryce is an interesting one. I don't know if its a case of fitness or something else which is keeping from the 1st team.

For me Tommy is a 9, never thought he was a world beater at 7. Would like to see a new 6 come in with Smith being the regular 7 with Sam as a back up.

Big disapointment for me so for is Riddell, came over with excitement and anticipation and has looked unfit and offered nothing to date.

Roberts
Ainscough
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Tomkins
Smith
Fielden
Leuluai
O'Carroll
Hansen
O'Loughlin
Tomkins

Feka
Riddell
Hock
Prescott

That's what I'd go with although the right side defence is admittedly a concern.

No no.9 on the bench to intechange? right side does look a little weak.

i thought riddell was still unfit.
what about tomkins on bench and mcilorum at hooker?
when tommy goes to hooker sam goes to half back

Poss. But I don't like the idea of moving players around for 1 subsitution.

Noble is quite the opposite to myself, I see injuries to first team players as an opportunity to give younger lads a chance. Especially at home to Cas (no offence to Cas)

I would still love a Wigan based team with minimal quality overseas players maybe in the future.

1 Richards
2 New winger
3 New centre/Goulding
4 Top quality New centre
5 Ainscough
6 S Tomkins
7 Smith
8 O Carroll
9 Tommy
10 Precott
11 Hansen
12 Lockers
13 J Tomkins

14 Feka
15 Hock
16 Top quality hooker (Divine Brown perhaps)
17 Up and coming talent.

There's only Tommy at 9, Smith, Feka and Richards who I honestly rate who are not English. Caromont is getting on a little and won't be around forever.

Farrell, Flanagan, Mossop maybe

I'll go with that

Roberts
Ainscough
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Smith
Leuluai
Fielden
McIlorum
O'Carroll
Bailey
Tomkins
O'Loughlin

Feka
Prescott
Hock
Hansen