Wigan Warriors and Hull KR go head to head this Friday in the most highly anticipated clash of the Super League season so far.
The Robins are currently four points clear at the top of the Super League table and they know that a third straight win would be enough to push them to within touching distance of the League Leaders’ Shield.
Wigan, on the other hand, will be determined to peg Rovers back to within touching distance with five more rounds of Super League action remaining. A home win at the Brick Community Stadium would hand Wigan the advantage when it comes to momentum and potentially even make them favourites to go on and claim the league crown.
Indeed, that’s how much is riding on Friday’s game and we’re ramping up our build-up to the game early doors with a predicted line-up.
We’ll start with Wigan, who beat Warrington Wolves last time out. Speaking after that game Matt Peet gave updates on the returns of Luke Thompson and Bevan French as they push to shake off calf injuries.
The head coach admitted that Thompson was more likely to play than French, but given Peet is yet to speak to the press this week, we’re taking a punt that both will be fit to take on the Robins.
Should French be fit to play, there probably won’t be a spot for Jack Farrimond, while Thompson’s fitness would likely push Liam Byrne to the bench.
Junior Nsemba definitely won’t be involved after failing a HIA on Friday, but Sam Walters’ availability gives Peet the opportunity to make a straight swap on that edge.
Rovers will definitely be without Tyrone May as he serves the second and final game of the ban he received for questioning the integrity of a match official. KR have loanee Rowan Milnes available but it would not be a surprise if the Robins were to opt for Arthur Mourgue in the halves once more with Jack Broadbent being so accomplished at full-back.
Willie Peters was confident when speaking about the issues Jez Litten and Mikey Lewis picked up against Castleford Tigers though so they’ll likely be fine to be included.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has some question marks but these are the games he was signed to play in and he’ll be doing everything he can to prove his fitness.
Predicted Wigan Warriors v Hull KR line-ups
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson; Sam Walters, Liam Farrell; Kaide Ellis.
Bench: Patrick Mago, Kruise Leeming, Liam Byrne, Typer Dupree.
Hull KR: Jack Broadbent, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, James Batchelor, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Arthur Mourgue, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; Dean Hadley, Rhyse Martin; Elliot Minchella.
Bench: Jai Whitbread, Jez Litten, Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanginoa.
