Warrington Wolves key duo suffer lengthy injuries but Wigan Warriors dealt major boost ahead of Super League clash

Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors have been dealt injury news on opposite scales ahead of their Super League clash on Friday night.

Home side Warrington have confirmed that skipper George Williams will be out for an “extended period” with a neck injury.

Williams has been on top form to start the season, picking up three tries and nine assists in his opening eight games.

Another blow sees prop James Harrison ruled out for up to eight weeks for an ankle injury suffered in last week’s defeat to Catalans Dragons.

For Wigan though, they have been able to name centre Jake Wardle for the first time since round one.

Wardle was said to be out for three months with an MCL injury, however he has become available after just nine weeks in what is a huge boost for Matt Peet’s side.

Warrington replace their two injured men with Cai Taylor-Wray, who was absent last week due to a hand injury, and Jordy Crowther. Luke Thomas also comes in to replace Lachlan Webster.

Wardle’s return means that Dayon Sambou drops out of the initial side, despite scoring in the defeat to Castleford last time out.

Warrington Wolves 21-man squad: Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Albert Hopoate, Matty Ashton, Marc Sneyd, Danny Walker, Sam Stone, Ben Currie, Sam Powell, Toff Sipley, Liam Byrne, Jordy Crowther, Ewan Irwin, James Bentley, Luke Thomas, Joe Philbin, Max Wood, Jake Thewlis, Ewan Smith, Kelepi Tanginoa.

Wigan Warriors 21-man squad: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, Jonny Vaughan

Super League round nine team news

Elsewhere on Friday, Headingley plays host to Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons, and Castleford will look to continue their good form when they take on Hull FC.

Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons:

Leeds make one change to their 21-man squad with Jeremiah Mata’utia dropping out due to him joining Harry Newman on loan at Hull FC.

In his place comes winger Riley Lumb, who hasn’t featured in the first team since the opening round defeat to Leigh.

The Dragons meanwhile make one change, with Josh Allen replacing Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e

Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Ethan O’Neill, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Riley Lumb, Danny Levi, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Jack Bird

Catalans Dragons 21-man squad: Charlie Staines, Tommy Makinson, Nick Cotric, Solomona Faataape, Toby Sexton, Lewis Dodd, Chris Satae, Julian Bousquet, Ben Condon, Ben Garcia, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Allen, Romain Navarette, Harvey Wilson, Kruise Leeming, Zac Lipowicz, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Lenny Marc, Ugo Tison, Leo Darrelatour, Alexis Lis

Castleford Tigers v Hull FC:

Castleford are unchanged from the side that beat Wigan last week. Zac Cini remains in the 21 despite featuring for the reserve side rather than the first team at the weekend.

Interim FC boss Andy Last has made two changes to last week’s initial squad, with one of those incomings being Leeds’ Mata’utia.

He replaces former Leeds man Sam Lisone, who suffered a torn bicep in defeat to St Helens on Thursday.

FC have been dealt a major boost with Jake Arthur back fit this week. The son of Leeds boss, Brad, has missed the last two matches.

Castleford Tigers 21-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, Aidan Doolan, Jason Qareqare, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jenson Windley, Sam Hall, George Hirst

Hull FC 21-man squad: Davy Litten, Zak Hardaker, Lewis Martin, Jake Arthur, Aidan Sezer, Amir Bourouh, Harvie Hill, Cade Cust, James Bell, Ligi Sao, Tom Briscoe, Yusuf Aydin, Connor Bailey, Brad Fash, Logan Moy, Matty Laidlaw, Callum Kemp, Will Hutchinson, Lloyd Kemp, Harry Newman, Jeremiah Mata’utia.

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