Wigan Warriors take on St Helens in the standout game of Magic Weekend as the old foes face off for the third time this season in a game with huge repercussions for both sides.
Matt Peet’s side knows that a win will pile the pressure on Hull KR, who play on Sunday against Catalans, and return the Warriors to the top of Super League. It’s also important that they make a swift response after their shock loss to Leeds Rhinos last weekend.
For St Helens, they’ve managed to string some wins together including last week’s golden point victory over playoff rivals Salford and that’s seen them ascend to fourth. Paul Wellens has also been rewarded with a new one-year deal for 2025 which helps remove speculation and eases pressure.
With these sides at one win a piece this season in their meeting and how crucial the two points are at this stage in the season it makes this third and final regular season meeting the biggest of them all.
Moreover, both sides are struck with injuries and suspensions. Here’s a look at the team news ahead of today’s game.
Wigan Warriors Team News
Credit: Imago Images
Matt Peet has made just two changes to the 21-man squad he named ahead of the defeat to Leeds. The two men dropping out are half-backs Ryan Hampshire and Harry Smith through injury and suspension respectively.
Hampshire was hooked early on after a poor first half but was seen holding his elbow when on the bench whereas Harry Smith misses out through suspension after copping a three-game ban following his red card.
Wigan Warriors have brought youngsters Tom Forber and Taylor Kerr into the fray and it’s possible that hooker Forber could get minutes as part of a makeshift spine. Man of Steel Bevan French remains out, as does Brad O’Neill, whilst Mike Cooper is another who remains absent.
📋 𝙎𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨
Matt Peet has named his 21-player squad for Saturday’s @SuperLeague derby against St Helens at Elland Road.
Full squad news 👉 https://t.co/3oqVGQ1abQ#WWRL #MagicWeekend pic.twitter.com/p72mR4d982
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) August 15, 2024
St Helens Team News
Credit: Imago Images
Paul Wellens has been forced into four changes to his St Helens squad with three coming due to injury and another through suspension, with the Red Vee also having their spine decimated.
In addition to the pre-existing Jack Welsby injury and Jonny Lomax suspension, Daryl Clark has suffered a foot injury, Lewis Dodd an arm injury and loose forward Morgan Knowles copped a two-game ban.
The other injured party was centre Mark Percival with an Achilles injury but all three of Percival, Dodd and Clark are expected to have four to six-week recovery timelines suggesting they’ll only be back for the Super League playoffs.
St Helens are still without Sione Mata’utia, Konrad Hurrell and Jake Wingfield due to long-term injuries, alongside full-back Jack Welsby. George Delaney could feature after missing out last week.
🔷 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦
Paul Wellens has named his 21-man squad for this Saturday’s match against @WiganWarriorsRL, which is part of @SuperLeague‘s #MagicWKND
Full story ⬇
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) August 15, 2024
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