SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW | ROUND 3 | Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors
2nd-placed Wigan Warriors travel to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to face Steve Price’s Warrington- just six days after their historic clash against Hull FC in Wollongong. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the contest.
TEAM NEWS
Warrington Wolves
Warrington welcome back new-recruit Tyrone Roberts, who has overcome a niggling knee injury. Roberts has missed the last two matches for The Wire and could run out alongside fellow new recruit Sitaleki Akauola, who is set to make his debut.
Matty Russell and George King are left out of the 19, with Mitch Brown in line for his first league start.
Warrington 19-man squad: Akauola, Atkins, K Brown, M Brown, Clark, Cooper, Crosby, Currie, Goodwin, Hill, Hughes, Lineham, Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Philbin, Ratchford, Roberts, Smith, Westwood.
Wigan Warriors
Wigan include Romain Navarette and young half-back Craig Mullen in their 19-man squad, with Joe Burgess and Dan Sarginson missing out.
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Frank-Paul Nuuausala is also absent after his contract with the Cherry-and-Whites was terminated earlier this week.
Wigan 19-man squad: Bateman, Clubb, Davies, Escaré, Farrell, Flower, Gildart, Isa, Leuluai, Marshall, Mullen, Navarrete, O’Loughlin, Powell, Sutton, Tautai, J Tomkins, S Tomkins, Williams.
KEY BATTLE- TYRONE ROBERTS V GEORGE WILLIAMS
Tyrone Roberts will be eager to prove his worth to the Warrington fans after a frustrating start to his career. His slight injury has forced him to take a back-seat for rounds two and three. Nevertheless, he will want to return with a bang in this huge clash.
Everyone is aware of the talent that George Williams possesses. After all, he was a big player for Wayne Bennett during England’s World Cup run.
He is one of the most tantalising runners of the ball in the English games and will need to be at his best to unlock the Wolves’ stubborn defence.
It must be remembered that Wigan have only had a short space of time to recover from their trip Down Under. Despite this, the battle of the two play-makers still looks like it will be an exciting one.
KEY STATS
- Wigan have won on their last three visits to the Halliwell Jones Stadium- Warrington’s last win was a 40-10 victory in April 2016.
- Warrington have won seven of their last eight games at home- their only defeat was a 16-12 loss to reigning champions Leeds in Round One.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday February 23
Venue: Halliwell Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45
Referee: Ben Thaler
WHO WILL WIN?
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