Wigan Warriors will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the Super League season on Thursday night when they take on Leigh Leopards at the Brick Community Stadium.
The Cherry and Whites have seen off Castleford Tigers and Hull FC so far, with the latter proving to be a fairly simple night for Matt Peet’s side. Last year’s play-off semi-finalists promise to provide a very different challenge but they do head into the clash on the back of a loss.
Leigh were edged out by St Helens last week and they’ll be keen to set the record straight and get back to winning ways, particularly after overpowering Leeds Rhinos in round one.
It’s an intriguing encounter then and here’s how we think both sides could line up.
We’ll start with Leigh, who have a number of injury concerns heading into this one. Umyla Hanley hasn’t played yet this season and despite being named in the squad for two weeks running, Lam has confirmed he probably won’t feature this week, either.
The centre picked up a shoulder injury in the friendly clash with Warrington Wolves and a final decision will be made on him closer to the game, but Lam didn’t seem optimistic, it’s fair to say.
When Hanley has the green light, his return will likely force a change in the outside backs, with Keanan Brand returning to the wing and the other wide spot being a straight shootout between Innes Senior and Josh Charnley. For now, though, expect the outside back line up to remain unchanged.
Frankie Halton has been nursing an injury, too, but Lam seemed a lot more optimistic about his chances of featuring against the Warriors this week and it’s likely that he will play.
Expect Isaac Liu to start after making his first appearance of the Super League season last week and that’s a change that could see Joe Ofahengaue come off the bench, with Halton set to start in the back-row.
Expect Wigan to remain unchanged this week, with the Warriors emerging relatively unscathed from Saturday’s clash with Hull. Liam Farrell can expect to be named in the outside backs once more, while Kaide Ellis could pip Oliver Partington to a spot in the side.
Sam Eseh impressed off the bench last week and it would be a surprise if he wasn’t involved once more.
Predicted Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards line-ups
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Farrell, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson; Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters; Kaide Ellis.
Bench: Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Sam Eseh, Tom Forber.
Leigh Leopards: Bailey Hodgson; Innes Senior, Tesi Niu, Keanan Brand, Josh Charnley; Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam; Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern; Frankie Halton, Jacob Alick-Wiencke; Isaac Liu.
Bench: Joe Ofahengaue, Liam Horne, Jack Hughes, Matt Davis.
Where Hull KR rank among Super League’s greats, referee controversy and Las Vegas predictions – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
