Wigan Warriors v Hull KR team news with 2 doubts and 3 out

Wigan Warriors will host Hull KR tonight in a game that looks set to determine who will lift Super League’s League Leaders Shield.

It is perhaps a bigger game for the visitors given their lack of silverware since 1985, however, Matt Peet and his side will know the importance of the fixture as well.

They’re hoping to retain the League Leaders Shield and continue their reign of holding all four available pieces of silverware, whilst they’ll know that the psychological boost ahead of a possible play-off meeting will also be invaluable.

Predicted lineups for Wigan Warriors v Hull KR

Just this week, Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet lauded the special nature of winning the League Leaders Shield, claiming that it’s an “unbelievable achievement”.

As for visitors Hull KR, they’re chasing an improbable piece of silverware with the club’s ascent to the elite of Super League being the story of the season. Should they manage to upset the odds and beat Wigan Warriors on their own turf, they’d be one step closer to their first piece of silverware since 1985. Both coaches named their 21-man squads on Wednesday.

Wigan Warriors team news

The bad news for Hull KR is that they are facing a Wigan Warriors side that is near enough full strength. Harry Smith will return from his three-game ban after his send-off against Leeds Rhinos.

He will be back in the halves alongside his usual partner Bevan French who made his long-awaited return on Saturday in Wigan’s away victory over Catalans Dragons.

In turn, that will see Adam Keighran move back into the centres and help form a first-choice backline featuring Jai Field, Liam Marshall, Jake Wardle and Abbas Miski. Marshall will done a nasty cut on his forehead but will be fine to play and he could reach his 150th Wigan try if he scores a hattrick, whereas Lebanon international Miski looks to score against the Robins for the fifth game in a row.

Perhaps an even bigger boost than the return of Harry Smith is the fact that captain Liam Farrell is back in the squad after seemingly overcoming his calf issue, although he could be a gameday decision.

Brad O’Neill (knee), Willie Isa (ankle) and Mike Cooper (head) all remain out.

Hull KR team news

Hull KR have profited from a very healthy squad this season, particularly of late, which has helped contribute to their impressive run of form, namely eight consecutive wins with just one loss in their last 13.

One player who has missed a handful of those games is centre Oliver Gildart but he is firing now, as is James Batchelor who returns from suspension in the only change to Willie Peters’ squad.

The second-rower replaced George King in the 21-man squad and could slot straight back in, whilst it seems that prop forward Sauaso Sue has overcome an awkward injury to his gentlemanly parts to pass fit for selection.

Dean Hadley will make his 100th Hull KR appearance whilst overseas stars Kelepi Tanginoa and Jai Whitbread will record their 150th and 100th career appearances respectively, should they feature.