SQUAD NEWS
Warrington Wolves
Warrington have made two changes for the Good Friday visit of Widnes with England international Ben Currie returning from injury and young hooker Morgan Smith coming into the squad in replace of Mitch Brown and Harvey Livett.
Brown’s absence from the squad opens the door for Josh Charnley to make his debut on his return to Rugby League after a short stint with the Sale Sharks.
Warrington 19-man squad:ย Akauola, Atkins, K Brown, Charnley, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Goodwin, Hill, Hughes, G King, T King, Lineham, Murdoch-Masila, Philbin, Ratchford, Roberts, Smith, Westwood.
Widnes Vikings
Widnes also make the two changes from last Thursday’s narrow win over Salford, as Danny Craven and Matt Whitley drop out having picked up knocks. Tom Gilmore and Gil Dudson return to replace them in the 19.
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This is Dudson’s first appearance in a match-day squad this season having undergone back surgery in the off season.
Widnes 19-man squad:ย Burke, Chamberlain, Chapelhow, Dean, Dudson, Gilmore, Hanbury, Heremaia, Houston, Ince, Inu, Johnstone, Leuluai, Marsh, Mellor, Olbison, Runciman, Walker, Wilde.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Wolves have won the last 11 fixtures between these two sides in all competitions (eight in Super League, two in the Challenge Cup and one in the Super 8’s Qualifiers).
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The Vikings’ last win against their nearest and dearest rivals came all the way back in July of 2014 winning 28 – 14 but it was for nothing as the Wolves eventually won the play-off elimination fixture 22 – 19 that same season.
In more recent memory, the reverse fixture this season at the Select Security Stadium saw Warrington edge out a plucky Widnes 18-10 thanks to tries from from Stefan Ratchford and a brace from Ryan Atkins, with Kristnan Inu getting both of Widnes’ touchdowns.
KEY BATTLE – Daryl Clark v Aaron Heremaia
The game will be won and lost at the ruck much like it has in the last few years with Widnes seemingly on the end of a masterclass of dummy-half play from Clark each and every time.
His speed and elusive nature has consistently caused the Vikings’ problems and been the catalyst for a Wolves win time and time again.
It will be down to the veteran Vikings hooker Aaron Heremaia to do the same for Widnes.
The 35-year old stalwart comes into this game off the back of a man-of-the-match performance against Salford which included the match-winning try and an assist for Greg Burke in the latter stages.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: 30th March 2018
Venue: The Halliwell Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Liam Moore
WHO WILL WIN?
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