Super League

Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils line-ups predicted amid Paul Rowley headache

by
Will Jackson
March 30, 2025

Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley

Wigan Warriors will be the overwhelming favourites to claim the victory when they take on Salford Red Devils this afternoon. The Cherry and Whites have lost their last two games, but they must fancy their chances of overcoming a Salford outfit that is quite simply in crisis.

The players have been paid, albeit a day after pay day, and Paul Rowley has named a 17-man squad to take on Wigan. Jonny Vaughan is part of that squad with the youngster joining on loan from St Helens in time to take on the Warriors.

But, with the likes of Jayden Nikorima, Chris Hill, Deon Cross and Ethan Ryan dropping out of the fold this week, Rowley has had to dig deep into Salford’s reserve ranks just to put a squad together. It promises to be a makeshift line-up, with some players seemingly set to asked to play in a different position to the one they will be accustomed to, but Rowley’s hands are tied.

It looks as though Nathan Connell will get the nod at full-back once more, having played there against Huddersfield Giants last time out. How the outside backs line up could be anyone’s guess, though.

We’ve gone with Esan Marsters and Josh Wagstaffe on the wings, with new recruit Jonny Vaughan and Kallum Watkins in the centres. That’s far from ideal but it’s a needs must situation at Salford right now.

Ryan Brierley can probably expect to partner Kai Morgan in the halves, with Chris Atkin remaining at hooker, while Jack Ormondroyd and Justin Sangare will have to play big minutes in the front-row.

Matty Foster and Shane Wright are the likeliest options for the back-row, with Joe Shorrocks set to take on the number 13 role.
With just four players left, if the above is correct, Rowley will name a bench of Tiaki Chan, George Hill, Finley Yates and Jimmy Shields.

Predicting Wigan Warriors’ line-up is a lot more straightforward with Matt Peet making just one change to his squad. Abbas Miski is the man to drop out through injury and he’s been replaced by Brad O’Neill, who looks set to play some part against the Reds.

The only real question about Wigan’s side is whether Jai Field plays, with the full-back carrying a hamstring injury at present. Wigan are out of the Challenge Cup and consequently have next weekend off, which allows Peet to give Field an extended break should he opt against risking him today.

If Field, who has penned a new deal this week, is good to go, though, he’ll start at full-back, with Bevan French returning to the number six role. An unchanged three-quarter line appears likely and you can expect the pack to remain the same as well, with the only other change coming on the bench as O’Neill returns to action.

Wigan Warriors predicted line-up: Jai Field; Jacob Douglas, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Luke Thompson; Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell; Kaide Ellis.

Bench: Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Sam Walters, Brad O’Neill.

Salford Red Devils predicted line-up: Nathan Connell; Esan Marsters, Jonny Vaughan, Kallum Watkins, Josh Wagstaffe; Ryan Brierley, Kai Morgan; Jack Ormondroyd, Chris Atkin, Justin Sangare; Matty Foster, Shane Wright; Joe Shorrocks.

Bench: Tiaki Chan, George Hill, Finley Yates, Jimmy Shields.