FB 5 Richards
RW 2 Roberts
RC 22 Gleeson
LC 4 Carmont
LW 3 Goulding
SO 21 Phelps
SH 7 Leuluai
P 15 Coley
H 9 Riddell
P 19 Prescott
SR 12 Bailey
SR 24 Mossop
LF 14 Joel

S 8 Fielden
S 10 Paleaaesina
S 25 Sam
S 28 Flanagan

18th man Shaun Ainscough, if Gleeson is unavailable I'd stick Ainscough on the left wing with Goulding playing right centre.

Best so far.

The only problem I would have with that team is Darrell Goulding on the wing. He made his debut there for Salford and had a torrid time against Les Catalans - our next opponents.

He's played 8 of his 9 Salford games on the wing, and he's in good form so I reckon it makes sense to play him there rather than change both his team and position in one fell swoop. He must be doing something right there, perhaps it was just a bad debut. Plus his strike rate's pretty decent at 5 tries from 9 games (4 tries from 8 games on the wing).

Just don't see why he would get into the team when we have

-Phelps
-Geeson
-Carmont
-Pat
-Roberts
-Pryce
-Ainscough
-Bailey

8 players to cover the 3/4 line, even with injuries and players moving positions we have plenty cover.

We don't need to change the whole team around.

The back line can stay the same as Friday. If Gleeson is fit then that's a bonus.
Replace Locky with Joel Tomkins at 13 and bring Mossop in to replace Hanson.

Back three
So that gives us

Phelps
Roberts
Pryce (Gleeson if fit)
Carmont
Richards
Sam
Tommy
Coley
Riddell
Prescott
Bailey
Mossop
Joel

Subs
Fielden
Feka
Flanagan
Goulding (Pryce if Gleeson is fit)

I'd liked to have Sam Gee in there but somehow can't see Noble doing it.

How would you work the hooker interchange? Don't think Piggy could do 80mins

Because he's earned his chance from his time on loan, and I think it's good for academy morale if players go away on loan then come back to make the team rather than being shipped out to Widnes or wherever. Players like Thornley, Farrell, Flanagan etc will look at Joel Tomkins, Lee Mossop and Darrell Goulding and think that it can be good for your Wigan carear to get loaned out to another club.

Three choices
Tommy to hooker and Flanagan to six
Tommy to hooker and Pryce to 6.
Flanagan at hooker

True, but does than warrant one of the players I mentioned missing out? Last week v Quins was arguably our best performance of the season, should Goulding be given a spot just to boost moral for the young lads?

I think the team should be moved around as little as possible.

Tommy to hooker would mean he will be doing a lot of game time at 7 and 9. He would have to be rested at some stage, probably second half.

Flanny isn't a 9.

I remember when Leeds played us at Headingly with no recognised 9, (this listed JJB there on the team sheet) they ripped us apart with who ever was closest acting as the dummy half, could this be an option?

3 injuries mean we don't have any choice but to change the team. As such 3 new faces are unavoidable, regardless of which ones (Gleeson, Mossop and Flanagan for me), and the other (Goulding) was just because I don't really rate Karl Pryce, especially as he's too slow for the wing, not skilfull enough for stand off and we have both our first team centres available so no point sticking him there either. There's a fair case to say Pryce should be 18th man in front of Ainscough though I suppose.

With Mossop & Goulding back I would suggest it will be something like:

Phelps
Roberts
Gleeson
Carmont
Richards
Sam
Tommy
Fielden
Riddell
Coley
Mossop
Bailey
Joel

Feka
Goulding/Pryce
Prescott
Flanagan

Don't see why we would bring them back to not include them. When Riddell needs a rest, Goulding/Pryce will come on and Phelps/Gleeson will go to 6 with Sam to 7 and Tommy to 9.

I can understand people not wanting to change the team around too much but if swapping the team around means that your team is stronger then it is worth doing.

I agree, we have to pick the best team since we have lost 2 of our most in form players and a "workhorse" in Hansen.

We need to work out a way to make the team strong and our strength is in the backs even with a rejig so that makes sense.

And for me including an U17'S, U19'S NSW and Australian Junior international at stand off where he played in all them matches and built a solid reputation should be put at stand off.

And a world cup winning hooker whose favoured and better position is at hooker should be moved to hooker to replace Michael McIlorum.

Call up Sam Gee does not seem the better option. Neither does moving Flanagan to nine.

I agree thats what it will be........i probably wouldn't go that way because Sams shown he's capable of playing and controlling games in the past 2 weeks.

At least we have options even with 5 or 6 players out.

To keep the same as much as is possible -

Phelps,
Roberts, Pryce, Carmont, Richards,
Sam, Tommy,
Prescott, Riddell, Coley,
Bailey, Joel,
Gleeson.
Bench - Feka, Fielden, Mossop & Goulding.

Twelve out of the starting 13 from last week start again. Gleeson has played 13 at Wire a number of times and he's a very experienced player.
Mossop off the bench as he was at Hudds and Goulding to come one when we interchange.
It doesn't look too damaging that way.

I'd go with;

Phelps
Roberts
Pryce
Carmont
Richards
Sam
Tommy
Prescott
Riddell
Coley
Mossop
Bailey
Joel

Fielden
Palea'aesina
Farrell
Flanagan (Replacement Hooker)

Flanagan played at hooker in a friendly Vs Leigh at the beginning of the season. Okay, Leigh aren't Les Catalans but he did well. For those who go watching the reserves regularly and on here often comment on how good Flanagan's distribution is then I'm sure he'll be able to do a job in that role.

1. roberts
2. ainscough
3. phelps
4. carmont
5. richards
6. gleeson
7. sam
8. fielden
9. riddell
10. coley
11. joel
12. bailey
13. flanagan

14. prescott
15. feka
16. leuluai
17. mossop

Would it not be easier to leave Gleeson in the centre and just move Phelps to 6?

No, Tommy to start at 7, sam at 6 for me.

A bit innovative for Noble.

tbf swapping blind side prop and open prop is about as innovative as noble gets!!! No chance he'll go for anything like that

I agree the more of a winning team you can keep on the pitch the better why change so many positions if its not needed