Adrian Lam may give another youngster a Wigan Warriors debut this weekend

[josie andrews]

Adrian Lam is considering giving another young academy-product a Wigan debut when they travel to Wakefield on Friday night.

A raft of injuries, largely concentrated to the pack, has left him down on senior forwards.

Lam has already handed debuts to academy-products Liam Byrne and Morgan Smithies this season and says another - Joe Shorrocks - is on stand-by if Ben Flower doesn't pass a fitness test.

"We've had Joe Shorrocks in our 19-man squad so if anyone gets an opportunity if Benny is out, he'll come into consideration. He's the likely one at the moment." said Lam.

Joe Greenwood has joined Liam Farrell, Tony Clubb and Sean O'Loughlin on the sidelines.

In addition, Gabe Hamlin is obviously suspended following his doping charge.

Byrne, Smithies and Ollie Partington are expected to hang on to their spots this week while Liam Paisley may come in for Greenwood.

The only player returning from injury is Sam Powell, who will be competing with livewire Morgan Escare for a bench-spot. Both are expected to be named in Lam's provisional 19-man squad today.


Tom Davies will replace injured Dom Manfredi on the right wing and Jake Shorrocks will start at halfback in place of Jarrod Sammut.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... -1-9702417

[Caboosegg]

Escare vs Powell on the bench...

Although it should be Escare all day Powell will probably get picked.

[pedro]

should be powell to spell TL, why would you put Escare there? To cover who?

[Wigan_forever1985]

should be powell to spell TL, why would you put Escare there? To cover who?

Escare can cover FB,Wing,HB,Hooker

Sam Powell can cover Hooker,HB

on that basis Escare should get the slot as he provides more utility

[pedro]

ive never seen Escare play well at hooker of Hb or Powell for that matter

[First Try Tickle]

We need someone with a bit of zip in the middle to tire the like of Fifita and paulipauli. I think Escare has more of this than Powell.

Also isn't Joe Shorrocks a loose forward. If they wanted someone to replace flower surely Kibula would be a better option.

[Firestarter]

A bit of size in the pack wouldnt go a miss after the cas game....... unless we gonna play 80 mins like the first half

[Wigan_forever1985]

ive never seen Escare play well at hooker of Hb or Powell for that matter

Escare has filled in at half back before, he's never played hooker to my knowledge but he would do a decent job IMO

Powell was given a chance at HB he was as ineffective as he is at hooker, theres not much you can do when you slower than anyone on the pitch

[nathan_rugby]

ive never seen Escare play well at hooker of Hb or Powell for that matter

Escare has filled in at half back before, he's never played hooker to my knowledge but he would do a decent job IMO

Powell was given a chance at HB he was as ineffective as he is at hooker, theres not much you can do when you slower than anyone on the pitch

Based on what?

[Wigan_forever1985]

ive never seen Escare play well at hooker of Hb or Powell for that matter

Escare has filled in at half back before, he's never played hooker to my knowledge but he would do a decent job IMO

Powell was given a chance at HB he was as ineffective as he is at hooker, theres not much you can do when you slower than anyone on the pitch

Based on what?

On the fact he has decent passing skills (think of pre tomkins return he was very good), and he is lightening quick off the mark, he could scoot against tiring defences and cause havoc in the same way that rob burrow used to do for leeds.

He wouldnt be the best hooker in the world but if we are short he is a better option to try for me