Wigan Warriors host Hull FC with both teams forced into key changes on account of injuries sustained in round one.
The Black and Whites have been without a few key names but it was Wigan who announced one of the major blows from round one with former Dream Team centre Jake Wardle ruled out for 10-12 weeks.
That was as a result of a knee injury sustained in the win over Castleford Tigers, a game that also saw the hosts lose star signing Blake Taaffe to a season-ending ACL injury.
Hull FC also lost one of their starting centres in the opening round with Zak Hardaker ruled out of today’s game due to a leg injury as he, Jake Arthur (hamstring) and Ligi Sao (suspension) dropped out of John Cartwright’s 21-man squad.
Wardle was the only change in Matt Peet’s 21-man squad but we now know how he has replaced the centre with the team news for tonight’s game confirmed.
Wigan Warriors team confirmed
Matt Peet has relied on experience to replace Jake Wardle with Liam Farrell shifting to the centres in a move that has a domino effect.
It sees Sam Walters move from prop to the second-row with Ethan Havard promoted to the starting XIII, whilst the bench sees Tom Forber feature instead of Jack Farrimond.
Oliver Partington, who impressed on his second debut with the club last week, remains on the bench and will offer impact along with former Hull FC loanee Sam Eseh Jr.
Wigan Warriors XIII: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Farrell, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis
Bench: Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Sam Eseh Jr, Tom Forber
Hull FC team confirmed
John Cartwright makes two changes as Jed Cartwright and Connor Bailey replace Ligi Sao and Zak Hardaker in the 17, however, there’s a reshuffle within the line-up.
Arthur Romano moves to centre to replace Hardaker with Cartwright taking that second-row spot. Connor Bailey then replaces Ligi Sao on the bench, whilst Cade Cust starts over Callum Kemp with the youngster on the bench.
Sam Lisone remains on the bench for his impact whilst former Wigan man Harvie Hill heads up the pack alongside Liam Knight.
Hull FC XIII: Will Pryce, Harvey Barron, Arthur Romano, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, Cade Cust, Aidan Sezer, Harvie Hill, Amir Bourouh, Liam Knight, Jed Cartwright, Joe Batchelor, Yusuf Aydin
Bench: Callum Kemp, Connor Bailey, Sam Lisone, Brad Fash
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