Wigan Warriors have made a decision at hooker after Brad O’Neill’s ban with Matt Peet’s side taking on Bradford Bulls this evening.
The Bulls head into this game knowing that a defeat could well see them end the round at the foot of the table should Huddersfield beat Toulouse in the later game.
As for Wigan, they know that a win will take them level on points with Leeds Rhinos, who lost to the Warriors’ neighbours Leigh on Thursday night.
It’s a major opportunity for Wigan but they’re without Brad O’Neill and Sam Walters after both men were suspended in the latest disciplinary verdict, and that’s seen Matt Peet have to make a decision at hooker.
As for Kurt Haggerty, he’s made a call on the fitness of Dan Russell after the second-rower went for scans on his eye injury.
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Bradford Bulls team news
Bradford announced that Waqa Blake, Jayden Okunbor, Joe Keyes and Phoenix Steinwede were available for selection, with the Bulls also waiting on a scan to confirm if Dan Russell could return.
Of those five players, all feature, including three in the back line as Dan Russell lands a surprise start in the centres alongside Blake.
Steinwede then returns in the pack as Elliot Peposhi drops to the bench, whilst Ryan Sutton returns to prop with Will Gardiner and Jamie Gill both dropping to the bench,
The five Bulls players who drop out are Connr Wynne, Riley Dean, loanee Thomas Doyle, debutant Alfie Leake, and forward Ebon Scurr.
Bradford Bulls starting XIII: Caleb Aekins, Jayden Okunbor, Dan Russell, Waqa Blake, Ethan Ryan, Joe Keyes, Chris Atkin, Ryan Sutton, Andy Ackers, Loghan Lewis, Zac Fulton, Phoenix Steinwede, Joe Mellor
Interchanges: Elliot Peposhi, Will Gardiner, Luke Hooley, Jamie Gill
👥 LINE UP | How we shape up for RD23 against the Warriors!
📲 | Full details: https://t.co/rAseQzrEZy#RunWithTheBulls pic.twitter.com/RoC7b13UX9
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) August 15, 2026
Wigan Warriors team news
Matt Peet didn’t just lose O’Neill and Walters to suspension but he also lost winger/full-back Noah Hodkinson to a season-ending hamstring injury. He had played on the right wing last week with Zach Eckersley at centre but Adam Keighran’s return means Eckersley takes his natural position on the wing.
As for the hooker role, Taylor Kerr starts as many expected but the main talking points are in the backs, where Wigan have numbers one through seven fit and starting. That means both Jake Wardle and Adam Keighran return in a major boost.
Sam Walters is replaced by Kian McDermott whilst Josh Cartwright and Shea O’Connor return to the bench,
Wigan Warriors starting XIII: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Taylor Kerr, Luke Thompson, Kian McDermott, Oliver Partington, Kaide Ellis
Interchanges: Patrick Mago, Sam Eseh, Josh Cartwright, Shea O’Connor
📄 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒
Here are your Wigan Warriors to face Bradford Bulls this evening!@ToteRacing | #WWRL #SLBRAWIG pic.twitter.com/2nnwHJf0Ei
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) August 15, 2026
