Whitehaven vs Wigan Warriors: Kick-off time and team news

Challenge Cup holders Wigan Warriors begin their preparations for 2023 with a clash against Whitehaven this afternoon.

The Warriors have only made two signings for the 2023 in centres Jake Wardle from Huddersfield Giants and Toby King from Warrington Wolves.

Neither will feature today however.

Kick-off time

The game kicks off at 15:00 at The Recreation Ground.

Team News

Plenty of youth will make the trip to Cumbria for Wigan in a team that will be led by Academy Head Coach, John Duffy.

As such plenty of academy and young prospects will travel to the Recreation Ground to get minutes under their belt.

Duffy has named this youthful side as the Warriors will field some of the promising talent from the Academy set-up, as well as a number players who were promoted to the first team set-up for 2023 including Harvie Hill, Jacob Douglas, Junior Nsemba, Tom Forber and Zach Eckersley.

Former St Helens and Huddersfield Giants star Keith Mason’s son Lukas doesn’t feature despite being an exciting prospect in the Wigan academy.

📋 𝙎𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨

Here is your 20-player travelling squad as we make the trip to @OfficialHavenRl this Sunday for our first pre-season friendly!

Read more 👉 https://t.co/3Cb8ycXr2i#WWRL pic.twitter.com/8q8iDkUjUy

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 20, 2023

Whitehaven have named a strong squad for the game with exciting halfback Alex Bishop set to feature.

He will have something to prove against Wigan being the grandson of Tommy Bishop who played for St Helens against Wigan in the 1966 Challenge Cup Final.

Jonty Gorley has announced a 22 man squad to take on @WiganWarriorsRL at the LEL Arena on Sunday.

All 21 members of last weeks squad that were remain as well the introduction of Josh Rourke who will feature for the first time #WeareHaven pic.twitter.com/j9bHCV4Xpx

— Whitehaven Rugby League (@OfficialHavenRl) January 20, 2023