Wigan Warriors have named their squad to face Castleford Tigers in Super League with Matt Peet making a call on how to replace his banned stars Harry Smith and Sam Walters.
The Wigan duo both picked up three-match bans after last week’s Challenge Cup win over Wakefield Trinity meaning the Warriors will be without the pair for this weekend’s home clash with Cas, as well as games against Bradford Bulls and Warrington Wolves.
Perhaps making the suspensions even more impactful is the fact Bevan French remains out injured so Wigan are now without both starting halves, whilst Sam Walters has also become a starter whilst Liam Farrell plays out of position in the centres.
As for the visitors Castleford, they’ve had a week off but they’ll still be reeling after their heavy defeat in rivals round at the hands of Wakefield, with the Tigers not scoring a single point in that match.
Matt Peet and Ryan Carr have now confirmed their 21-man squads for Sunday’s Super League meeting.
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Wigan Warriors team news
Matt Peet makes just the two enforced changes as the suspended Smith and Walters drop out and are replaced by Ethan Havard, who returns after a failed HIA in the Good Friday derby, and young talent Jonny Vaughan.
Vaughan can play both centre or in the second-row so could serve as a Walters replacement with Liam Farrell moving back to his more accustomed position in the forward pack.
With Harry Smith out and no immediate replacement in the halves, it could come down to young back Noah Hodkinson to return or Adam Keighran to shift from the centres to the halves.
Wigan Warriors 21-man squad: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Marshall, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh Jr, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, Jonny Vaughan, Dayon Sambou
🔢 Head Coach Matt Peet has named his squad to face Castleford Tigers in Betfred Super League this Sunday. ⬇️
Matrix Fitness | #WWRL #SLWIGCAS pic.twitter.com/XON9cN8SK8
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) April 17, 2026
Castleford Tigers team news
Ryan Carr is only able to name a 20-man squad with Castleford seeing two loanees, including Wigan’s Tom Forber, recalled and therefore dropping out of the squad.
Joe Westerman also drops out but there is a big boost as star outside back signing Semi Valemei returns from the HIA he failed in round six of Super League, whilst young talent Jenson Windley is also named in the squad.
Ashton Golding remains out injured with Carr having shared an update on the utility at his presser on Thursday.
Castleford Tigers 20-man squad: Semi Valemei, Zac Cini, Darnell McIntosh, Mikaele Ravalawa, Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver, Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood, George Lawler, Jordan Lane, Alex Mellor, Joe Stimson, Brock Greacen, Jack Ashworth, Aiden Doolan, Jason Qareqare, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jenson Windley, Sam Hall, George Hirst
Team news is in for our trip to the Brick📋
Details 👇https://t.co/zAa2bACg9j#COYF | Sponsored by Bowkirk pic.twitter.com/4xV5awRIBp
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) April 17, 2026
