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Adrian Lam names a Wigan Warriors 20-man squad to face Hull KR

Liam Marshall and Oliver Gildart return for selection.

Wigan Warriors v Hull KR, Friday 18th June, DW Stadium, 7:45pm K.O.

Adrian Lam has named a Wigan Warriors 20-man squad to take on Hull Kingston Rovers this Friday.

The Betfred Super League Round 10 tie will be the first since last March to allow fans back into the DW Stadium.

Tony Smith’s side will come into the game on a high, after comfortably beating Salford 40-4 last time out. The Cherry and Whites will look to get back to winning ways after a disappointing defeat to Catalans in Round 8 two weeks ago.

Team news

Oliver Gildart and Liam Marshall are available for selection for the first time this season. Gildart has struggled since pre-season with a groin issue, while Marshall has been recovering from a long term knee injury [anterior cruciate ligament] since September 2020.

Willie Isa is also included after missing the last two games with a corked thigh.

Zak Hardaker will serve the first of a two match ban after receiving a Grade C charge (head butting) for an incident against Catalans Dragons in Round 8.

After being handed a Grade F charge (Unacceptable language based on national or ethnic origin), prop forward Tony Clubb will serve the fifth of an eight match ban. Full statement HERE.

Injury news

On Tuesday, the head coach provided some more info on the condition of Bevan French, who suffered a hamstring injury in Round 7 against Salford Red Devils.

“He’s had surgery now, we are just waiting to hear back from the surgeon to tell us what the timeframe is for his recovery. We should hopefully know by the end of this week.”

Half back Jai Field continues his recovery from a torn hamstring sustained during Wigan’s season opener against Leigh Centurions in March.

20-man squad to face Hull KR

2. Dom Manfredi
4. Oliver Gildart
5. Liam Marshall
7. Tommy 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
19. Liam Byrne
20. Harry Smith
21. Ethan Havard
22. Jake Bibby
25. Joe Shorrocks
27. Kai Pearce-Paul
30. Umyla Hanley
31. Jackson Hastings

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2021/06/ ... v-hull-kr/

Backline in my opinion

1 - Hanley
2 - Marshall
3 - Bibby
4 - Gildart
5 - Manfredi

Highly doubt it will go that way with Lam picking though! We will end up with someone playing fullback who has never really done it before and a second rower at centre!

Blimey - that Marshall's a bit of a whiz!

Couldn't resist it - know you meant Dom on the right wing.

Are 20 man squads now the new norm?

Interesting that Field is now officially a half-back which points to next season, I suppose.

nathan_rugby wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 12:48 pm Backline in my opinion

1 - Hanley
2 - Marshall
3 - Bibby
4 - Gildart
5 - Manfredi

Highly doubt it will go that way with Lam picking though! We will end up with someone playing fullback who has never really done it before and a second rower at centre!

Here's hoping although this comment was made earlier in the week:

We've got Liam and Oliver coming back, and with Umyla, who is our Academy fullback, it'll be one of those three who plays there," Lam said on Tuesday. "We're having a tinker and we'll settle with that for our team run on Thursday.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... y-20821844

So its either Hanley/Gildart/Marshall

No doubt we should go with that back line, everyone playing in their rightful position. Be interesting in what Lam selects especially our back row.

Although Hanley looked like a fish out water in his previous games he must play . Put some trust in him, let him play in his true position and hope for the best.

1 Hanley
2 Manfredi
3 Bibby
4 Gildart
5 Marshall

6 Smith
7 Hastings

8 Singleton
9 Powell
10 Bullock
11 Bateman
12 Farrell
13 Smithies

14 Leuluai
15 Havard
16 Partington
17 Isa

Squads looking a bit thin only naming 20...
Or have the removed the 18th man after reading the forums

Caboosegg wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:54 pm Squads looking a bit thin only naming 20...
Or have the removed the 18th man after reading the forums

Heard it is literally down to numbers,,,,, suspensions/injury/loans have taken a toll on the squad depth and we only have 20 players available from the first team squad listed

wall_of_voodoo wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 8:44 pm

Caboosegg wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:54 pm Squads looking a bit thin only naming 20...
Or have the removed the 18th man after reading the forums

Heard it is literally down to numbers,,,,, suspensions/injury/loans have taken a toll on the squad depth and we only have 20 players available from the first team squad listed

Well at least that ought to make it easy for Lam to pick a side with players in their correct positions. Instead he will probably put their names into a hat and first one out plays no. 1, second one out no. 2 ….. etc.

DaveO wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:09 pm

wall_of_voodoo wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 8:44 pm

Caboosegg wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:54 pm Squads looking a bit thin only naming 20...
Or have the removed the 18th man after reading the forums

Heard it is literally down to numbers,,,,, suspensions/injury/loans have taken a toll on the squad depth and we only have 20 players available from the first team squad listed

Well at least that ought to make it easy for Lam to pick a side with players in their correct positions. Instead he will probably put their names into a hat and first one out plays no. 1, second one out no. 2 ….. etc.

Oh goodness sake the “name out of the hat” is the secret weapon