The Warriors welcome back to the squad Prop Ben Flower (pictured), the Welsh prop underwent an ankle operation after the 36-23 victory at Wakefield at the start of last month. He was expected to be ruled out for upto eight weeks but is back in contention ahead of schedule. Also named in the 19 is Epalahame Lauaki who has missed the last two games and Andy Powell who made his Rugby League debut last Friday. Young Utility Back Ryan Hampshire is also included in the squad, Ryan made his Wigan debut recently off the bench at Widnes.

Wigan Warriors 19 Man Squad (alphabetical order)

Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Gil Dudson, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Darrell Goulding, Blake Green, Ryan Hampshire, Harrison Hansen, Jack Hughes, Epalahame Lauaki, Michael McIlorum, Andy Powell, Sam Powell, Pat Richards,Matty Smith, Logan Tomkins, Chris Tuson

Referee T Roby

SW has named five props in the 19, also no recall for Iain Thornley and still no Sam.

My guess at the 17.
Hampshire,
Charnley, Goulding, Gelling Richards,
Green, Smith,
Crosby, McIlorum, Dudson,
Hansen, Tuson,
Farrell.
Bench, Flower, Lauaki, L Tomkins, Hughes,

Sam Powell to be rested, Andy Powell to miss out.

I hope Hampshire gets a game. In the "expected" dry conditions he could do some damage.

After our "experiences" with full backs in Sam's absence, can the boy (1) catch a high ball and (2) push up in attack ? Back up full-back is a role we desperately need filling.

Hampshire should be getting as many opportunities as we can possibly give him. He is the best prospect at the club.

I would say at this stage Rocky is better equipped to play SL full back than Tierney who lest people forget is returning from a significant injury lay off.

Tuson at lf but otherwise spot on.

Yep.

SW said that who ever trained the best out of Thornley and Gelling would get the nod for Fridays game.

I was at Glastonbury when we played Cas. Did Tierney have a howler or was it just that one ball he dropped near the try line?

From being there then watching the tv replays it looked liked he slipped and grounded the ball in goal, it was then stripped in a two on one tackle, when stripped the ball went forward along the ground off the Cas player and his team mate touched down. The try was awarded!
Tierney didn't have a good game but neither did 16 others wearing the Wigan shirt. Nor the ref, who it must be said had also to back up from Monday!
The Monday/Friday turnaround is a total shambles no wonder the NRL have banned it.

In that case it's a real shame to see him dropped, I thought he had a great game v Widnes in (IMO) the hardest position to debut in

My guess at the 17.
Hampshire,
Charnley, Goulding, Gelling Richards,
Green, Smith,
Crosby, McIlorum, Dudson,
Hansen, Farrell
Flower.
Bench, Andy Powell, Lauaki, L Tomkins, Hughes,

Flower are even Hansen at LF

Sam Powell to be rested, Tuson to miss out.

no excuses with that squad, it is more than good enough to win.

He had a good game at Widnes but along with the rest of the team struggled against Cas. That's only to be expected of a lad so young.

I totally agree about how tough the full back position is to make your way in. Every little error is magnified back there and I think its unfair to debut kids in the position. If you look down the years at the top fullbacks from Tomkins back to lads like Wellens and Radlinski they've all started out in different positions before moving back.

I think that's pretty wise.

Anyone else got the awful feeling that Bradford are due a win?

I reckon so are we...

No

I feel better already! Care to make a prediction?

Something I never normally do, BUT
Wigan by 30+

Fingers crossed!

If we don't then you'll understand why I never make score predictions.
If we do then I'll revert to smug Rogue genius mode.

And be accused of being a happy clapper?.... No.

If the cap fits...

At least i can find a cap that fits

Ah, referring to my arrogance again! Seriously, did I pigeonhole you specifically as a HC? I do remember referring to "the clapping classes" in a retort to (in my view) a robust post aimed at me by 21-12. My recollection is that you thereon took it upon yourself to be affronted. If my recollection is wrong I am sorry if I have unintentionally irritated you.

At the moment I seem to be a HC where SW is concerned but a Doom monger where the ST saga is concerned. You've found a hat that fits? Looks like I've found two.