Wigan squad for Castleford (R14)

[medlocke]

Don't suggest that, please, only in jest is bad enough!!!

Why not, He is current front runner for man of steel

He's not in the top 20!

How have I got him mixed up with Sneyd?, shown reet up there, but ain't the first time and won't be the last

[Flash]

Why not, He is current front runner for man of steel

He's not in the top 20!

How have I got him mixed up with Sneyd?, shown reet up there, but ain't the first time and won't be the last

Could I just add...

The End

[Flash]

Hampshire's take on it:

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... es-4667119

[Mike]

I thought it was another conservative decision by Peet to play Hampshire. iMO once you've made the call to move French it seems like you should be bringing in Farimond to fill that gap. I thought the choice was between Hampshire at FB or a Farimond half with French at FB. He doesn't like brining in the kids.

It's interesting also that Nsemba and Walters are good ng to be fighting over one spot (and let's be honest if Isa was still available they wouldn't be in the side at all yet). Unless Faz decides to hang up his boots next year will this be enough for either of these players?

Anyway. We fought out a win and that's what matters given the team selection shiowed we were putting some considerable importance on the result of this one. Probably wise as a cup handover can last a long while if it's allowed to.

What was that Thaler "obstruction" call all about. Nothing like obstruction IMO!

[EagleEyePie]

I thought it was another conservative decision by Peet to play Hampshire. iMO once you've made the call to move French it seems like you should be bringing in Farimond to fill that gap. I thought the choice was between Hampshire at FB or a Farimond half with French at FB. He doesn't like brining in the kids.

It's interesting also that Nsemba and Walters are good ng to be fighting over one spot (and let's be honest if Isa was still available they wouldn't be in the side at all yet). Unless Faz decides to hang up his boots next year will this be enough for either of these players?

Anyway. We fought out a win and that's what matters given the team selection shiowed we were putting some considerable importance on the result of this one. Probably wise as a cup handover can last a long while if it's allowed to.

What was that Thaler "obstruction" call all about. Nothing like obstruction IMO!

I'd love to see Farrimond get some more opportunities but, in fairness to Matt Peet, Jack is only 18 so there's no rush in getting him into the first team. Given how difficult the game after the cup final can be I think I can understand the conservative approach on this occasion. You ideally want to give young players opportunities when the team is at its strongest.

I'm not sure that you can say for sure that Isa would be playing ahead of Walters and Nsemba if he was fit. Isa and Farrell were our only back row forwards when the season started so it's not like there was a choice in who started the season in the back row. Isa's experience certainly helped Keighran adjust to the side on the right edge so that familiarity was always going to be a plus point in keeping Isa in the side.

Nsemba got his chance and took it, which is what you hope for with young players. The return of Walters didn't immediately displace Nsemba which I think is credit to how well Junior has played. I think Walters being back will see a reduction in minutes for Nsemba, maybe for Farrell to some extent too. I don't think it's a bad thing. It's a long season and we need to keep players fit and healthy.

I doubt either Nsemba or Walters will want to be sat on the bench or be left out of the side but isn't that pretty much guaranteed if you want true squad depth? We've already seen why we need all 4 of those back row forwards in the side because 3 have been injured already this year. If you look at Saints they have similar depth in their back row options. Had we not retained Isa or signed Walters we'd be in a poor position.

I don't see the issue in trying to get Farrell, Walters and Nsemba in the team. It gives us 3 forwards capable of making big metres with ball in hand. We don't have to play Farrell for 80 minutes every game. Junior doesn't have to be overburdened with too many games (his limit on minutes played is lower since he's still a teenager if I'm not mistaken). All 3 have played in the middle of the field at times too so it's not like their input is purely limited to the back row.

If there was a chance of Isa returning from injury before the end of the season (it seems unlikely) then that would be a good thing too, as young forwards often have a dip in form towards the end of their first full season in the first team. The competition for places is great for us.

[medlocke]

He's not in the top 20!

How have I got him mixed up with Sneyd?, shown reet up there, but ain't the first time and won't be the last

Could I just add...

The End

[moto748]

Isn't Farrimond much more a 7 than a 6, though?

[josie andrews]

Isn't Farrimond much more a 7 than a 6, though?

Yes

[Exiled Wiganer]

I am but sure how long Field is out for, but I think Keighran has played at 6, so maybe that would be the way to go after the international break.

[endoman]

Its quite obvious that french to fullback does upset the rythm of the team please try someone else there

French as played fullback brilliantly in the past so i reckon the problem was elsewhere

I think we may very well see Eckersley at fullback, if Field is injured, and French reverting back to 6.

Mentioned this to my lad after Friday, thought I’d seen Eckersley there before, need to get Field sorted for the payoffs.