I've just seen the academy team for the Saints game today, very young.
No Hill or Nsembe, suspect they may be in line for their debuts in the next week?

The KR game on Monday seems almost pointless, with the only thing to gain from it being the opportunity to look at fringe players and the kids. I’d go with a full reserve team on Monday and then back to full strength against Catalans. It should be a great opportunity for guys like Nsemba, Hill, Brannan, Astley etc on Monday.

It's effectively a reserve game on Monday. In key positions we could have debutants who are young, yes there will be seniors but a fair few "playing with injuries" cos our numbers are low. You'd be kicking yourselves if anyone major got injured on Monday looking back at seasons end and you wasnt to win the GF. Go with that team last night plus Farrell (what's the latest there) and you've got it in the bag

Reserve team fb
Reserve team winger,
Halsall.
Bibby
Miski
Reserve team half
Leuluai (if ready)
Mago
Reserve team 9
Ellis
McDonnel
Shorrocks
Partington

4 reserve teamers on the bench

I hope we go with pretty much a full reserve team. Hill KR can’t make the playoffs or get relegated so only have pride to play for. We are safe in second and almost certainly won’t make top so seems senseless to ask players to back up after yesterday.

Dropped lucky with fixtures or conversely some have been unlucky
Cas v Salford
Cats v Leeds

All four have everything to play for and are probably going to have to go as strong as they can manage

Latest update from our end is just the 13 out now, relatively full strength!!

Understand why they've done it this season with the world cup coming up but these double up weekends need to be consigned to the history books, not doing the players or the sport any favours whatsoever

This is the last one - they've been scrapped for next year. Basically means the season will be extended by a couple of weeks.

It could be worse...you could be like Saints and have to cope with an injury crisis!

Agreed

Couldn't agree more and Wigan have drawn the short straw with the Catalan game being brought forward

Leeds playing Wednesday, Monday and Saturday against our Friday, Monday and Friday is a joke but ultimately we can rest everyone on Monday and pick and choose against Catalans, so it doesn’t really matter.

Thank god the double game weeks will be binned.

I'd honestly consider playing the reserves against both Hull KR and Catalans. I could understand the logic if it meant 3 weeks without playing but it won't because of the double header. We haven't had a week off all year so play the reserves in both and be smart with the training schedule.

Indeed! What was it Makinson, Grace and Percival injured and it was labelled decimated in the backline ! Get those violins out! No1s saying those 3 arent losses, of course they are but in terms of numbers overall its laughable

Hull KR have had a raw deal this season with injuries. We have been there and worn that t-shirt. Play the youth, let's give them a go in the big league.

I hope so.
Think we might see Tommy getting some minutes too.

dodd, hopoate too

21 v HKR https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2022/08/ ... hull-kr-3/

21 v HKR https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2022/08/ ... hull-kr-3/

Good idea to give Havard and Bibby some minutes. Bibby could end up being the starting centre for the rest of the season with Faz's injury. Happy with that squad.

What's your Half Backs likely to be with that team?

Logan Astley will be one and after him, who knows?! There’s no natural stand off. I’d guess it’ll be Hanley or Joe Shorrocks at 6.

Could be a make or break game for Hanley. If French leaves which seems likely, I wouldn’t feel confident in Hanley being our 2nd choice full back next year.

I’m happy with that squad, surprised at Kade Ellis though he probably won’t play too many minutes.

It’s a shame Tommy isn’t ready to have a run out.

I’m not really with Ellis. I think he’s in danger of losing his place for Catalans and beyond. It’s certainly between him and Mago as I see it. It’s not that he’s not playing pretty well but I think we need more from, certainly in terms of aggression in contact. He just drifts through too many games for me and doesn’t grip them. Again I’ll say he’s had a pretty good season but you can tell there is loads more in him.