Wigan Warriors and St Helens will renew rivalries this week when they go head to head at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The two sides have plenty to play for and Friday’s clash is about so much more than just local bragging rights.
Wigan are second in the table and with three games remaining, they know that a win over the Saints will strengthen their position as they look to seal that top two spot. Saints haven’t given up on chasing them down, though, and while they do sit four points back, a win brings the Warriors back into striking distance for Paul Wellens’ side.
It’s a game that promises to have huge implications on the league table then and other clubs will be paying close attention to what the result could mean for them, too.
As such, we’ve taken a look at the early team news.
St Helens team news
Well, we know St Helens will definitely be without Morgan Knowles this week after taking a blow to the head and failing a HIA last time out at Craven Park. That’s a big blow for the Saints, but Paul Wellens does have some options at his disposal with Joe Batchelor and James Bell being fit again and available.
The Merseyside outfit could appeal George Delaney’s ban but as it stands he’ll miss the clash following his Grade C head contact charge. Lewis Murphy (thigh) and Jake Wingfield (ankle) are both expected to miss the remainder of the season, while Owen Dagnall (hamstring) is touch and go to return to action in the play-offs.
Noah Stephens will be approaching a return following his thumb injury soon, though, while Kyle Feldt should be back following his head knock against Hull FC, although that is yet to be confirmed.
Wigan Warriors team news
Like St Helens, Wigan have a man dropping out to a failed HIA with Patrick Mago taking that head knock at Catalans Dragons on Saturday. However, Ethan Havard is set to come back in after serving a suspension.
Luke Thompson is a doubt at this point with his calf issue, while Adam Keighran dropped out of the warm-up in Perpignan last time out with the knee issue he picked up against Wakefield Trinity.
Abbas Miski has a popped rib cartilage and that’s why he hasn’t featured in the last two games. Whether that will keep him out of the derby remains to be seen, though. Tom Forber is the only other man set to miss out through injury after dislocating his wrist.
