Tough challenge ahead, especially at the DW. Wouldn't go as far as saying a must win game but two points would be absolutely massive for our play-off push. The players have had a deserved break, however after their previous break vs Huddersfield we was sloppy, hopefully it was just one of those games!

Certainly not a must win game, as even if we lose with our fixtures we could still make the play offs and it's certainly our hardest game. Must make sure if we do get beat we keep it tight as points difference could play a big part this season.

Can't see too.much change, probably Sao for Fash and Sutcliffe for Lovodua with Scott moving to the back row and Lane to the bench.

Massive game in terms of a push for the play offs, a win would certainly put us in a stronger position, a loss wouldn't be the end of the world but increases the difficulty in making the 6. Hopefully the flat and disjointed performance against Huddersfield after the last break is a lesson learnt.

Another game that is a real test to see how far we've come in terms of mental toughness, attitude and consistency since appointing TS.

Wigan are a strange side. Second in league but definitely beatable. They’ve dropped a few stinkers this season.

Not a must win but if we do, it puts us in the driving seat in terms of a play off push I think.

need to be at it from minute 1, no sloppiness like the start of the Hudds match, hopefully Wigan will be effected by the break more than us (training session v the dobbins week before wembley)

Be interesting to see who TS goes with at full back if Tex is fit.

Tex/Litten
Mcintosh
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
Trueman
Clifford
Sao
Houghton
Taylor
Savelio
Lane
Cator

Satae
Brown
Dwyer/Lovodua
Scott

Is there any news on if Tex is fit? If 100% id run with him.

Tex & Litten
Sutty, Carlos & Scott

The centres are picked by who smith thinks will do the best job in the back row i think. Hard for Scott to find a consistent position when he can cover a few

Genuinely think they’re the first selection decisions a coach has had to make in a good few years. It’s finally nice to have some competition.

Do we think Staveley makes an appearance this week? He got injured at the wrong time and I think that probably his shot gone for a few weeks

Bookies don't fancy us Wigan 1/4 on. Surprised at that

Agree with that , After the last break we were really poor .

Any news on Swift he was hobbling at the end of our last game, big loss if he’s missing, very difficult game as per with the pies, but it would be a terrific boost to our play off chances if we could defy the odds.

Sutcliffe back in the squad so would imagine he'll replace Scott at centre and Scott will switch to the back row with Lovodua to drop out and Sao for Fash.

Probably go with

Litten
Swift
Sutcliffe
Carlos
McIntosh
Trueman
Clifford
Taylor
Houghton
Sao
Savelio
Scott/Lane
Cator

Satae
Brown
Dwyer
Lane/Scott

Not a must win but defo a
MUST NOT GET PUMMELLED

Heard a rumour Sao is out, it leaves us light with 1 prop on the bench

If Sao is out then I would think that Gardiner will be brought in to the 17

If what I heard is correct bench is:

Taylor, Lovodua, Dwyer, Lane.

Scott is in SR.

Leaves us light up front

If Sao is out, Brown has to be in surely?

Have Brown in my 17 on the bench with Fash being out so you'd think Brown would already be in the 17.



Just don't see any logic to having both Lane & Lovodua on the bench. If Sao is out then I'd bring Gardiner on to the bench with Brown moved to a starting spot alongside Taylor.

Have you forgotten about Satae?

Nope, had Taylor and Sao down to start with Satae and Brown on the bench, so if Sao is possibly out as mentioned by mwindass I'd move Brown to a starting spot and bring Gardiner in to the 17. So the bench would be Satae, Gardiner, Lane, Dwyer

heavy rain forecast this evening.

Sao is definitely out.
Litten
McIntosh
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
Trueman
Clifford
Tag
Houghton
Brown
Dre
Scott
Cator
Subs
Satae
Gardiner
Dwyer
Lane

Shame Staveley is injured, I think he could have featured, but be good to see Jack Brown in the pack again and I'd be tempted to leave Scott in the centre role and play Sutty as the other backrower, I think Cam deserves a decent run in that position but wherever he plays he'll do well, his interview in the HDM is actually a good read. Comes across as humble and willing to learn, seems that Smith is a coach that does develop players to their full potential. God knows what he would have achieved with the 2015-17 squad, probably a Grand Final.

I also wonder what Smith would have done with the 16/17 squad.
Would have won the comp I think.

Think the fact that Ese'ese spoke about Smith being a big factor in him signing for us and Ali Lauitiiti speaks highly of him as a coach says volumes. Think its fair to say had TS had the 2016/17 sides they'd have more than likely achieved more and built on the success.

Agree re Staveley as just when the chance is there he unfortunately picks up an injury an a niggly one too. Think Cam Scott is having a very good season and continues to improve, and its a tough decision to leave him out the 17 on his form this season. He certainly found some pace again and when stepping up to SR he's done a good job and being honest I don't think there's much to chose between him or Sutcliffe in the SR.