Are Lauaki and Tuson expected back for this? What's the time scales?

Lauaki yes according to Wane but Tuson is a couple of weeks away I believe.

I wouldn't pick either of them anyway tbh. The side played well on Friday and deserve the chance to go out against Warrington and try and quieten a few people down.

I really hope a few Wigan forwards lay a marker down. I honestly believe they will.

Tuson missed the Warrington friendly with a cork, and was touch and go last night so hopefully he'll be back
Lauaki was meant to be missing the first 2 games of the year, but Wane said in his interview that he hopes to have him back.
Lauaki in for Dudson then
Although I'm not sure Tuson merits a place at present. I thought Thornley had a really good game at centre both in defence and attack, and Wane was very complementary on Hughes in the back row.
I'd imagine Tuson will be in though, probably for Powell which would be a shame

Vs Warrington I'd go;

Sam
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Richards
Green
Smith
Mossop
McIlorum
Prescott
Farrell
Hughes
O'Loughlin

Lauaki
Taylor
Dudson
Flower

I think Powell played well on Friday but we need a bigger team vs Warrington.

I don't see how Tuson can warrant a place in the squad. Hughes has done well enough to earn the second row spot while Powell and Burke have been excellent in pre-season and deserve their place in the squad. To put Tuson straight back in would be bizarre.

If Lauaki's injury is a hamstring I don't think it makes sense to risk him against such a tough pack. The only change I would make is bringing Greg Burke in for Ben Flower. He doesn't add much to either the front or back row. I think Burke would be useful to spell Lockers, Farrell and Hughes because the Wire pack is much more likely to tire them out than Salford's were.

Tomkins
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Richards
Green
Smith
Dudson
McIlorum
Mossop
Hughes
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Powell
Prescott
Taylor / Lauaki
Burke

We could easily fall into the trap of thinking 'oh it's Wire we need size' and pack the bench with forwards who don't actually offer anything more or anything different. Powell looked very good against Salford and increased the speed of the ruck when he came on. I also think it will benefit McIlorum to allow him to be spelled. He's struggled to keep up the pace for 80 minutes in hard fought games but allowing him a rest could be a big help and might be better than having another big lad on the bench.

I do worry that Wane will just throw Tuson and Lauaki straight back in, which would be reminiscent of our last game against Wire when he seemed to ignore the fact that players returning from injury probably wouldn't be 100%.

I would be surprised at anything other than a convincing Warrington win.

Our pack will get trampled, there's not enough aggression there to cope with the Westwoods and Morleys.

Definitely Lauaki should come back in if he's fit.

No injured player should be returning v Warrington. The 17 selected for Salford should be given the opportunity versus top class opposition. Burke should have been in the 17 versus Salford rather than Flower. He was not but should be 18th man for this.

Warrington will start the game as overwhelming favourites.

If you was neutral you've got to say Wire are favourites. Over the course of the season they were second only to us last year, but we have lost 5 first teamers and they have lost none. Wire have got to be this years favourites for the LLS for the same reason.

I expect Wigan to try and lay down a marker in this game both via the result but also our style of play. I think we'll see a physical Wigan side that may suprise one or two on here.

It'll be a tight game.

Warrington just leaked 24 points at home to Castleford. Make of that what you will.

We always seem to be beaten before a ball is kicked once it comes to Warrington anyway.

Why? He is very average and for all his histrionics when tackled with arms and legs flailing about I don't think he fools anyone that he is an aggressive hard running player least of all the opposition forwards.

I would read nothing in to it, no doubt they coasted through the second half in preparation for one of the very few really big games in the regular season next week.

Plenty said the same about Leeds before last years GF and look what happened

Yes we did 'leak' 24 points but this was after going 22 points clear at half time. We then seemed to have one eye on next Fridays game, Lee went off at H/T and so did Moz & Ben Harrison, all 3 were precautionary, I have no doubt that if we had wanted to we could have won by a bigger margin.

I will be at the Piedome on Friday and will be surprised at anything other than a Warrington win.

I love going to Wigan Athletics ground

. Can't wait for the banter and build up to go into overdrive. Know for sure we won't risk anyone not 100%. Should be a cracker.

Always good to see your fans turning out for the games against the big clubs



Should be a cracker, really looking forward to it...

I believe all the critics in relation to Wigan's off season dealings will fire up the there sqaud. I can see Wigan wanting and needing to prove a point. I believe they will beat Warrington by 15. . . . . .

After all every dog has its day......

I was shocked that Leeds won it last year, they were dead on their feet for the last 20 against Wigan the week before. Thought they would have nowt left for the final

Then I will be surprised if you were surprised, then that would not be surprising!

I must say. I don't that a good feeling about Wigan away... Apparently the 24 points were leaked due to new tactics/lines or whatever as the game was already wrapped up at half time.

Either way or whatever excuse is given, it isn't good enough. I think you lot will do us by 8 IMO

Form just dictates the bookies favourite, it's a derby game so it's about who wants it more on the day, the reason i like this fixture so much is its unpredictability.

Would like a bet on that?

Bookies make Wire favourite for the GF and CC plus we have form against Wigan, you honestly think they'll give shorter odds on Wigan. Take who you support out of the equation and look it like a bookie would, there's no way Wigan will be favourites.

I reckon Wire will have either a two or four point start on the coupon.

Unpredictability? We haven't beaten you at home since 2009 and that was after the CC semi where you mullered us so was always going to happen. We've lost the last 5 league games against you.

Our record against Warrington is horrendous. The reason I don't like this fixture is it's predictability!