I think that could be the 17. Smith might be a starter though. Looks a decent team. Wigan look much improved this year though, even allowing for HKR been poor on the day.

Im not sure Wigan looked much improved really. Most of the tries came from kicks. They are a very well organised defensive team, 2nd only to Saints IMO.

We will struggle to break them down. At full strength we are a better team than Wigan but we will never be at full strength.

Be interesting to see Austin partner Sezer to see how improved our attack is but we lack cutting edge and pace. Hopefully Newman plays.

Can see it being another low scoring game in Wigan. Even with several out we are capable of matching them. Its anyones game Friday i think.

Good luck with that one, let's see

Personally don’t think that sides anywhere good enough to get the win. Would be an even game at full strength. Wigan are much improved this year. Attitude wise more than anything…….

I’m not saying it’s guaranteed but that side is capable of winning, this is how Wigan lined up for round 1, they are not World beaters and will not win a trophy this year imo. It looks like it will be a wet and windy one Friday.

Jai Field, Liam Marshall, Kai Pearce-Paul, Iain Thornley, Jake Bibby, Cade Cust, Thomas Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Kaide Ellis, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Willie Isa.

Interchanges: Zak Hardaker, Patrick Mago, Morgan Smithies, Liam Byrne

They’ve got better players on the bench then we have in starting 13. Our back line looks woeful if Newman didn’t play ( don’t think he will….)

Wigan's threequarters lined up v HKR as - Thornley, Pearce-Paul, Bibby and Marshall. No saying about Friday's game due to nothing known about Thornley's injury.

Appealing the Bentley sanction. Difficult to see validity of the appeal!

Thornley out for 2 months, Peet saying Hardarker is likely to start on the wing.

agree our weakest bit 3/4 's would be good to see gannon and johnson in side

Bentley ban increased crazy appealing based on our recent relationship with the disciplinary panel

Good luck to any one travelling over the pennines if the weather forecast is to be believed.

Our 21 has been named I hope agar selects.

Walker
Briscoe
Broadbent( Newman if 100% fit)
Sutcliffe
Handley
Austin
Sezer
Tetevano
Leeming
Prior
Mellor
Gannon
Smith

Subs
Oledzki
Thompson
Donaldson
Johnson

Out for up to 2 months yet Vete gets 2 matches

Strained Hammy should be 6-8w from injury. Absolutely zero point risking Newman before then. Bench isn’t great. I have concerns that team will get mullered. Oledski touch and go too….

Think you're being overly pessimistic there, we may not win but I don't see us getting 'mullered'.

Bentley isn't a huge miss Gannon arguably is a better attacking option anyway and Mellor is a decent player to replace Martin.

Think we will miss Dwyer but Leeming is an 80 minute player and Johnson is a talent.

We finally have two very good halfbacks on the pitch

Pretty strong Wigan squad as expected.

Agreed, think the teams are well matched on paper, Think Bentley being missing could be a blessing in disguise, cant be piggy backing Wigan up and down the field with six agains and penalties, and iv got no faith in Bentley not to do that.

Providing both teams keep 13 players on the field, it should be a good contest.

Keeps going the way it’s going with regards to weather game night be called off.

Some of us travelling from underneath Wigan not across the Pennines! ... though looking at the forecast I'm 50-50 now

Will be interesting to know what Agar says to Bentley before his first game back. Adapt or die.....or find another job

Gannon could stake a claim next few weeks

It could be postponed until Sunday unless Wigan Athletic have a game?

away at Rotherham

Big game that.....

Has this been confirmed he is out for 6-8 weeks or you just guessing?