Same 21 https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/08/ ... leeds-r21/

Same 21 https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/08/ ... leeds-r21/

Wouldn't surprise me they play Field instead of Eckersley then the other 16 are the same as v Leigh.
Pity for Eckersley when he's so good but that's how it is sometimes.

I think he’ll come off the bench. Hopefully they find a permanent spot for him in next years team

Field for Hill with Eckerlsey onto the bench

I think that you be correct on this.
I was hoping that Forber would be back.

Whats our options at 9 if Leeming gets injured. With O’Neil sat out Forber lack of first team game time and being injured and Leeming having his injuries. Might scupper this season

Injuries can scupper a season at any point - that's just the nature of sport unfortunately. We couldn't have done any more than have three quality hookers in the squad and we're past the deadline for transfers now.

Eckersley on the bench cover basically the entire back line for injuries.

He can jump into the centres or onto the wing.

If a half gets injured, ZE could go fullback and Field into the halves.

And as pointed out if we are in a good position in the game we could take Field off.

All that versatility is better than 10 minutes of Harvie Hill off the bench. (No offence to him but with Thompson/Havard/Ellis who can do 80, plus Walters who can go to prop in a pinch we don’t need 3 props on the bench). Mago and Dupree are enough off the bench.

If French is out for a few weeks maybe Peet will consider Keighran at HB and Eckersley at centre?

I agree with that but Harvie did longer than 10 minutes on Tuesday so I think you are being a tad unfair.

He's fit again.

I would be leaning towards this as Keighran would be decent in defence in the middle, Leigh showed if you attack our tired middle you can get results, getting Kieghran in there hopefully provides cover for the bigger men. Moving fields from FB takes a lot of sting out of our attack

Hopefully Field gets fit and we can then afford to have Forber on the bench to rotate with Leeming and get him some game time in case Leeming gets injured.

Yes, he lacks match fitness at the moment, he's been a bit unlucky with other disruptions to the team meaning he has been in the squad, not played and missed reserves games.

We have Leeds Reserves also this week so maybe a run out for Hill and Forber in that game?

I think everyone will be looking forward to getting this and next week's game weeks out of the way.

Since the international weekend, it's all being a bit weird and disjointed. We've had injuries, extra fixtures and some real poor performances. I know the squad also got disrupted by the concerts too - moving around different gyms etc.

Let's, hopefully, get a W this weekend and then settle back down into the grind.

No reason to doubt you so I find it really odd that he wasn’t in the 21 man squad let alone the starting 17.
Must admit that I thought Peet said a week or two ago that Forber would be ready for “magic” weekend. Hopefully they are just giving him a bit more time to ensure his fitness rather than a negative reaction to his rumoured exit to Salford next year.
The loss of O’Neil is a big hole and for me Forber can play a major role in filling it.

It will be interesting to see if Tom plays in the reserves.

He is, confirmed on this weeks injury update, MP said he considered him for the bench but a game for the reserves would be better for him, hopefully he comes through unscathed and he'll be an option for next week.

Thank you. I really rate Forber, I hope his future is at Wigan.

Harvey Hill named in the reserves, expect it'll be the same 17 that played Hudds now

Forber and Farrimond in Reserves for today.

Byrne in for Dupree.