Wigan Warriors are again facing adversity with key players missing and ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Bradford Bulls, we’ve predicted their line-up.
Fortunately for Wigan, their opponents are facing even more adversity with their injury list well into double figures whereas Wigan’s remains in single figures but primarily revolves around key players.
Bevan French (hamstring) has been joined on the sidelines by wingers Liam Marshall (hamstring) and Dayon Sambou (PCL), whilst fellow outside back Abbas Miski is still yet to make an appearance since last year’s Grand Final after undergoing surgery.
Oliver Wilson (ACL) is out and key duo Harry Smith and Sam Walters remain injured and with such limited options in the halves and backs, it could be that Matt Peet hands out a Super League debut this weekend.
Matt Peet had to shuffle his halves around mid-game last week due to Marshall’s injury and it meant that loose forward Taylor Kerr played alongside Jack Farrimond but it could be a different academy graduate on Saturday.
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How Wigan Warriors could line up against Bradford Bulls
Reserves half-back George Marsden could be the man to play in the halves alongside Jack Farrimond whilst another option that would see youth promoted may see Noah Hodkinson shifted into the halves, with Josh Cartwright taking a spot on the wing.
Both are viable with Marsden and Cartwright called into the 21-man squad but it may make more sense to trust Marsden in the halves given it is his primary role.
It would of course create a very inexperienced halves pairing but with Jai Field anchoring the spine and Brad O’Neill playing long minutes at hooker, the duo would be well-supported.
Noah Hodkinson or Josh Cartwright could still feature on the wing with Hodkinson, the more experienced in Super League, the likely candidate even if he is naturally a full-back.
Adam Keighran and Jake Wardle would start in the centres together for the first time since round one with Liam Farrell returning to his customary second-row position, a welcome boost whilst Sam Walters remains suspended.
Oliver Partington could then play off the bench with Kaide Ellis at loose forward whilst the starting props would be the England international duo of Ethan Havard and Luke Thompson.
Tom Forber would offer rotation for Brad O’Neill off the bench, where he could be joined by the aforementioned Partington, as well as Sam Eseh and Patrick Mago.
Wigan Warriors XIII: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley; Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Noah Hodkinson; George Marsden, Jack Farrimond; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson; Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell; Kaide Ellis
Interchanges: Tom Forber, Patrick Mago, Sam Eseh, Oliver Partington
