Wire squad: Matty Ashton, Joe Bullock, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Jason Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Matt Davis, Riley Dean, Oliver Holmes, Jack Hughes, Toby King, Ellis Longstaff, Peter Mata'utia, Robbie Mulhern, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Josh Thewlis, Danny Walker, Gareth Widdop, George Williams

Ratchford
Charnley
Mata’utia
King
Ashton
Williams
Widdop
Mulhern
Clark
Cooper
Currie
Holmes
Hughes

Bullock
Clark
Philbin
Walker

Can't argue with that, I'm wondering whether Davis might get a bench spot to add a little more ball playing ability to that 13 position, but think it will be as you suggest here.

As an aside, I think its a shame Westerman isn't still with us, think he would have gone well under Powell and been an ideal 13 for him.

Catalans seriously under strength. No Tomkins, no Whare, no 8, 9, 10.

I think it will be this but Davis will start at 13 instead of Hughes, it will e interesting to see whether Hughes makes the squad because I agree with your bench too, I suppose it depends whether any on this list aren't fully fit. I'm not sure Hughes is a Powell type player, although he may play front row a bit more for us.

How long does Philbin get on the starting 17 to show more yardage gain and impact as well?

Both Ratchford and Cooper came off with rib injuries last week but hopefully they're fit and hopefully Widdop has recovered from illness.

If all fit then I would expect us to line up 1 - 13 as per squad numbers except for Mulhern starting and Philbin coming off the bench. Rest of the bench - Bullock, Walker and J Clark getting the nod ahead of Davis. With the players missing from the Catalan pack we [ishould[/i be able to make some yards up the middle this week. I doubt that we'll getter a better chance.

Got to agree with the last part. Granted, we are only 3 games in, but philbin is very lucky that we're a squad that doesn't really have any alternatives in the prop department.

Quote ="CW8" How long does Philbin get on the starting 17 to show more yardage gain and impact as well?'" Indeed. I am afraid 24 carries in 3 games at an average of 6.75m, 0 offloads and 0 busts is not good enough for a top SL side. It's way off. And this is the guy who said "challenge accepted" according to Powell. Bullock's 29 carries @ 9.17m is much more like it. Cooper has been effective with 28 carries @ 8.71m and 5 offloads and 1 bust in just 2 games. [size=85 Source: https://www.superleague.co.uk/team/9/warrington-wolves[/size

Quote ="CW8" How long does Philbin get on the starting 17 to show more yardage gain and impact as well?'" Indeed. I am afraid 24 carries in 3 games at an average of 6.75m, 0 offloads and 0 busts is not good enough for a top SL side. It's way off. And this is the guy who said "challenge accepted" according to Powell. Bullock's 29 carries @ 9.17m is much more like it. Cooper has been effective with 28 carries @ 8.71m and 5 offloads and 1 bust in just 2 games. [size=85 Source: https://www.superleague.co.uk/team/9/warrington-wolves[/size

is that a different matt davis?

Indeed, looking at this squad, you'd think it would be a near on banker 2 points

2 Tom Davies,
3 Samisoni Langi,
5 Fouad Yaha,
6 Mitchell Pearce,
7 Josh Drinkwater,
11 Matt Whitley,
12 Mike McMeeken,
13 Benjamin Garcia,
14 Alrix Da Costa,
15 Benjamin Jullien,
16 Paul Séguier,
17 Mickael Goudemand,
19 Arthur Romano,
20 Tyrone May,
21 Corentin Le Cam,
23 Jordan Dezaria,
24 Mathieu Cozza,
25 César Rougé,
26 Romain Franco,
28 Sam Kasiano,
30 Florian Vailhen.


now this Shropshire wire, this is where they let you down, well, they have in the past

I watched Butler play for the reserves last Saturday. Its a difficult comparison because the opposition were not first team, but I would say there doesn't appear to be too much between Butler and Philbin at the moment. Meanwhile Hughes is being asked to play in the middle and he too is really only a stand in for that role. Both players are struggling atm.

Think most of us agree that Philbin as never been a starting prop, always better coming on against a tiring defence.

When compared with Hughes and J Clark has a far better pass in him and a little more game awareness in my view. See the interchange between him and Williams and on to Holmes for Charnleys try vs Leeds.

Agree, he also seems a little bit quicker. He obviously needs to develop his game a fair bit, but there is quite a lot to like about Matt Davis IMO.

Absolutely bang on this

Got my ticket for the south stand.. first live game proper!

Not knowing a THING about RL I’ll not contribute any thoughts or feedback other than I recon we will win and my wife will continue to ask “why are you wearing that shirt again?” And “isn’t it weird you’re going to a sports event alone?” until at least Sunday

It's a good atmosphere (rowdy?) in the South Stand, but can be a bit of a squeeze. I would stand in the southeast corner where it meets the East Stand, about two thirds of the way up the stand. This is an excellent position to get a good overview of how the game works and you'll hopefully get to see some tries from Charnley in that corner this year.

If you're taking kids at any point in the future, definitely take them either to that corner or in the seated East or North stands. I won't take my 10 year old in the middle of the south stand as he finds the shouting and swearing a bit intimidating. I keep apologising to him for my language though and blame the referee's performance for my behaviour



Hope you have a great time! It may be a bit quieter than usual as Catalans don't bring many fans and there isn't much of a traditional atmosphere!

Normally I'd say just watch what everyone else does around you, but based on some of pur fans, that's probably bad advice.

Please don't fart I can't stress that enough though.

South East corner is a good call, it's a nice view, standing side on isn't for everyone, maybe not down at the front.

If you go for a drink in the concourse, make sure you know which queue your in, the cash only queue has been catching ppl out

Whatever did happen to the guy who used to let one go in the Fletcher Street End at Wilderspool, at least once in each half? Used to make my eyes water, although it was fun to see everyone making accusatory glances at those stood around them



I guess he migrated across the HJ with the rest of us, but stands somewhere in the middle of the south stand so I never smell his movements. I'm too posh for the South Stand these days you see. I don't even drink lager, I go to the Coffee Barista stand and have a freshly-ground, that's how bad I've become.

I think we have found him .... in the North Stand around the 30m mark towards the West stand half way up. There were a couple of paint stripping guffs at the last home game. Brought tears to my eyes and all my hair has fallen out. These people must be identified and relocated into the West stand.

Would like to find a way to include Longstaff. Currie at loose ?

If there's not much between them we should get shut of both.

Best chance we'll get to beat them this season, they can still cause issues with the squad they've named so definately won't be taking this one lightly.
Karetaker that's the exact squad i would pick aswell, can't argue with that in my oppinionicon_smile.gif

Longstaff as done nothing wrong and if it was me I would of kept him in, purely picked that squad based on squad numbers with the exception of Philbin and what I have said previously about him. 2 seasons ago Philbin was on fire from the bench and then last season not so good, kinda left me wondering was he carrying an injury we knew nothing about.

Philbin earned recognition with 2 GB caps, but that form has since escaped him. Hope he can get back to the level he played at.