Victories for St Helens and Leeds Rhinos have helped to pile the pressure on Wigan Warriors, who now sit third in Super League but they’ll be able to reclaim second with a win over Wakefield Trinity today.
That’s a lot easier said than done with Trinity knocking on the door of the play-offs themselves and with a significant rest advantage on account of not playing last weekend as a result of Salford Red Devils cancelling that fixture.
Trinity were awarded a 48-0 walkover win and after Hull FC’s Friday night to St Helens, Daryl Powell’s side are a win away from moving into sixth spot.
That Friday night result also saw St Helens move to second with Wigan now under serious threat of not earning a home semi-final, something which makes the trip to Old Trafford a lot easier.
Based on the mid-week pressers and the 21-man squads, we’ve predicted how Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity will line up today at the Brick Community Stadium.
Wigan Warriors team news
Matt Peet confirmed mid-week that Luke Thompson would be out for another couple of weeks before adding that Bevan French would be a similar time frame, however, the former Man of Steel was named to the 21-man squad.
It’s highly unlikely that he plays so that opens the door for Jack Farrimond or Adam Keighran with the latter more likely to start having played there plenty in recent weeks, especially when Zach Eckersley can cover him in the centres.
Junior Nsemba is back after his HIA and could return straight to the starting XIII meaning Sam Walters moves to the bench.
Predicted Wigan Warriors XIII: Jai Field; Abbas Miski, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Adam Keighran, Harry Smith; Liam Byrne, Brad O’Neill, Ethan Havard; Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis
Interchanges: Kruise Leeming, Sam Walters, Tyler Dupree, Patrick Mago
📋 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀
Matt Peet has named his squad for Sunday afternoon’s @SuperLeague clash against Wakefield Trinity!
Full squad news 👉https://t.co/zAlgi61DaY#WWRL #SLWIGWAK pic.twitter.com/Hx1b0MSiyJ
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) August 22, 2025
Wakefield Trinity team news
The key decision that Daryl Powell will have to make is whether he risks Tom Johnstone or not with the winger only just returning to the 21-man squad.
Powell explained that Johnstone could be touch and go for the fixture but with no Corey Hall in the backs, it makes his inclusion more vital.
Up front, there’s no Ky Rodwell and Caleb Hamlin-Uele so a stacked bench of forwards could be named to help combat Wigan’s strong pack.
Predicted Wakefield Trinity XIII: Max Jowitt; Lachlan Walmsley, Cameron Scott, Oliver Pratt, Tom Johnstone; Jake Trueman, Mason Lino; Mike McMeeken, Liam Hood, Caius Faatili; Josh Griffin, Matty Storton, Jay Pitts
Interchanges: Harvey Smith, Seth Nikotemo, Renouf Atoni, Isaiah Vagana
📰 Four Changes To Trin Squad!!
Head Coach, Daryl Powell welcomes back Tom Johnstone, Mike McMeeken, Mason Lino and Ellis Lingard into his 21-Man Squad.
👉🏻 https://t.co/aHKm46SREt#UpTheTrin pic.twitter.com/wz3H2nKCC4
— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) August 22, 2025
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