Wigan host Wakefield on the back of their sensational victory over St. Helens. Here’s everything you need to know…
SQUAD NEWS
Wigan Warriors
After last week’s stunning win over rivals St. Helens, winger Dom Manfredi returns to the Wigan squad for the first time since 2016 after recovering from two serious long-term knee injuries that have kept him sidelined for two years.
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Dan Sarginson is also available for Shaun Wane’s squad, despite the centre suffering a family bereavement last week.
Wigan 19-man squad: Wigan: Bateman, Clubb, Davies, Escare, Flower, Gildart, Greenwood, Hamlin, Isa, Leuluai, Manfredi, Navarrete, O’Loughlin, Partington, Powell, Sarginson, Sutton, Tomkins, Williams.
Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield have recalled back-rower Chris Annakin and centre Joe Arundel for the trip to the DW Stadium.
Trinity boast a strong squad, arguably an even stronger one that took apart Huddersfield Giants by 42-16 last week, although prop Anthony England and full-back Max Jowitt drop out of head coach Chris Chester’s 19-man squad for Thursday’s showdown.
Wakefield 19-man squad: Wakefield: Annakin, Arona, Arundel, Ashurst, Batchelor, Crowther, Grix, Hampshire, Hirst, Horo, Huby, Johnstone, Jones-Bishop, Lyne, Miller, Pauli, Randell, Tupou, Wood
HEAD-TO-HEAD
When playing at home, Wakefield often dominate Wigan, as shown by the unforgettable 62-0 win back in 2016. Trinity also put in a brilliant performance to beat the Warriors 32-16 at Belle Vue in June.
However, when Wigan last hosted Trinity back in March, they ran out reasonably comfortable winners with a 30-18 victory.
KEY BATTLE – Dan Sarginson vs Tom Johnstone
Wigan have scored at least 20 points in each of their last four matches, beating the top sides in Super League in the process, and Dan Sarginson has been a crucial figure in their recent successes.
The centre has shown incredible mental strength to make himself available for the squad for Thursday’s squad after he lost his younger brother just last week, so expect him to put in a more determined performance than ever before.
Despite the loss to St. Helens a fortnight ago, Wakefield pose a real threat to any team in Super League, even more so when Johnstone plays well. In fact, they’ve won the last two matches he’s crossed in by over three-score differences, including the win at Huddersfield last week where he was Man of the Match.
Wakey could move up to fifth with a win at the DW and, after recent form, that is a real possibility.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Thursday 6th September
Venue: DW Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Referee: Ben Thaler
