Adrian Lam names the Wigan Warriors 21-man squad to face Wakefield Trinity.
One change in the squad as Jackson Hastings comes in for Jai Field.
Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity, Thursday 1st April, Totally Wicked Stadium, K.O. 6pm.
Adrian Lam has named the Wigan Warriors 21-man squad to face Wakefield Trinity in Round 2 of the Betfred Super League this Thursday (K.O. 6pm).
The Cherry and Whites will face off against Chris Chester’s men at the neutral venue of the Totally Wicked Stadium as part of a double header. Hull KR and St Helens will go toe-to-toe in the late kick-off of 8:15pm.

Team news

In his pre-match press conference on Monday, the Wigan head coach discussed the chances of Jackson Hastings featuring against Trinity.

He said: “He will more than likely play for us this week.”

Lam also discussed the progress of full back Bevan French, who recently returned from Australia. “We need to get him through the isolation process and get him up to speed with the rest of the squad. We need to make sure welfare wise he’s ready to play and healthy. But it’s great he’s back in the country and we can move forward.”


Hastings in training.
Injury news

Following news that Jai Field had injured his hamstring following Friday’s game, Lam provided an update earlier this week.

“Sadly we’ve got the news that it’s as worse as it gets. He’s had a complete tear of the hamstring and he’s going to be out for five months plus.

“It’s sad news for the club, Jai and his family and we’ve just got to make sure we get around him and help him through this process. It’ll go fast and he’ll be back soon enough.”

Dom Manfredi is unavailable as he recovers from a fractured thumb. Oliver Gildart misses out with a groin strain.

Liam Marshall continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained in September 2020 v Castleford. The winger is expected to be in contention from May.

Wigan Warriors 21-man squad to face Wakefield:


3. Zak Hardaker
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Brad Singleton
9. Sam Powell
10. Joe Bullock
11. Willie Isa
12. Liam Farrell
13. John Bateman
14. Oliver Partington
15. Morgan Smithies
17. Tony Clubb
19. Liam Byrne
20. Harry Smith
21. Ethan Havard
22. Jake Bibby
23. Mitch Clark
25. Joe Shorrocks
28. Sam Halsall
29. James McDonnell
30. Umyla Hanley
31. Jackson Hastings

Who would you put in for or centres

Hardaker
Bibby
Isa
Farrell
Hanley
Hastings
Smith
Bullock
Powell
Singleton
Bateman
Smithies
Havard

Partington
Byrne
Tommy
Shorrocks

FB 3. Hardaker
RW 22. Bibby
RC 11. Isa
LC 13. Bateman
LW 28. Halsall
SO 2O. Smith
SH 31. Hastings
P 8. Singleton
H 9. Powell
P 10. Bullock
SR 15. Smithies
SR 12. Farrell
LF 14. Partington

S 7. Leuluai
S 19. Byrne
S 21. Havard
S 25. Shorrocks

Last week is an indication it’ll be Farrell in the centres before Bateman.

I'm OK with that.

Really can't see us winning, hope I'm wrong tho

FB: Zak
W: Bibby
C: Halsall
C: McDonnell
W: Hanlay
SH: Hastings
SO: Smith
P: Singleton
H: Powell
P: Bullock
SR: Faz
SR: Isa
LF: Bateman

S: Tommy
S: Havard
S: Byrne
S: Partington

I think we need firepower starting in the pack which IMO means Bateman and Isa have to start in the backrow/loose. I think we’re more likely to win this down the middle than outside so I’d look to put Halsall & McDonnell out in the centres and give them an opportunity. It’s going to be a tough day at the office IMO but I still think we have the quality to win.

We really need French and Gildart back, we are not in the middle of an injury crisis (nothing on previous years) but it’s hurting that the main bulk of injuries are in the outside backs and the cover we have isn’t the strongest. With those 2 back we will be miles stronger and obviously even stronger with our 2 first choice wingers.
No disrespect but we’ve been fortunate to get 3 winnable games to start the season, does anyone know if any of these will be back for Leeds? I believe French will be and Marshall is a definite no, anyone know about Gildart and Manfredi?

I agree with the premise of us trying to win the game up the middle but asking kids to defend Tupou and Lyne is asking for trouble IMO. Those two do well against even established SL players.

Can’t throw loads of young three quarters in together, it would be suicide. Just get a workmanlike team out on the field and defend our way to a win.

You’re probably right in fairness. I’m just trying to think of a workaround to keep Bateman in the pack. We dominate there and Tupou/Lyne [ishouldn’t[/i get space nor delivery to cause too many issues. For it we need to tough it out in the pack and we’ll win the game.

I’d imagine you’re probably closer to the starting line up than me TBH.

But over 80 mins Tupou and Lyne will get space. Tom Johnstone doesn't need space to do his best and we've got to cater for that.
Squad selection will be crucial so Lam simply has to get it right, poor sod!