Adrian Lam names 21-man squad to face Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League.
Five changes feature Brad Singleton’s first inclusion.
Warrington Wolves vs Wigan Warriors, Friday 9th October, Emerald Headingley Stadium, K.O. 7:45pm.
Adrian Lam has named the 21-man Wigan Warriors squad to face Warrington Wolves this Friday in Round 15 of the Betfred Super League (K.O. 7:45pm).
The Cherry and Whites will look to bounce back from last weekend’s cup defeat when they take on Steve Price’s men at Emerald Headingley Stadium.

The Warriors Head Coach has made five changes from the side that faced Leeds Rhinos.


Recent signing Brad Singleton features for the first time since his arrival in September and could make his debut on Friday night.

Second-row Morgan Smithies returns for selection after serving his sixth and final match ban received for two separate incidents during Wigan’s win over Castleford in Round 10.

Following the news that two Wigan players had tested positive for Corona Virus (learn more HERE), a third unnamed played has also been ruled out following the results of a positive test.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Lam confirmed the result saying: “This third positive test was not a part of the team last weekend and has been isolating away from the squad.”

All three are isolating and have no contact with the rest of the Wigan Warriors squad.

Injury List
Youngster Ethan Havard misses out with an ankle injury picked up against Leeds Rhinos last weekend.


Havard in action last weekend alongside captain Sean O’Loughlin
Experienced prop-forwards George Burgess and Tony Clubb miss out as they recover from their respective hip and neck issues.

Following his suspected injury against St Helens last week, back-rower Jack Wells is expected to be unavailable for up to three months with a MCL tear and knee dislocation.

Winger Liam Marshall continues his long-term recovery from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament knee injury sustained during the Round 10 tie with Castleford.

21-man squad vs Warrington

1. Zak Hardaker
6. Bevan French
7. Tommy Leuluai
9. Sam Powell
11. Willie Isa
12. Liam Farrell
13. Sean O’Loughlin
15. Joe Greenwood
16. Morgan Smithies
17. Oliver Partington
19. Joe Bullock
21. Dom Manfredi
23. Jake Bibby
28. Harry Smith
31. Jackson Hastings
32. Amir Bourouh
33. Joe Shorrocks
35. Sam Halsall
36. James McDonnell
37. Harry Rushton
38. Brad Singleton

French
Manfredi
Isa
Zak
Bibby
Smith
Hastings
Bullock
Powell
Partington
Faz
Greenwood
Tommy

Singleton
Rushton
Smithies
Lockers

Oh dear

Am I correct in only counting 3 props in that squad?

No;

Bullock
Oli
Rushton
Singleton
J Shorrocks (back rower usually but has played prop)

Aye 3 props and that against a Wire side with some quality in that area. It could be a messy night!

I’d go-

French
Manfredi Hardaker Isa Bibby
Hastings Smith
Bullock Powell Partington
Smithies Farrell Lockers

Subs-Singleton Greenwood Shorrocks Leuluai

Rushton is a second rower/loose forward as is Shorrocks. They may have played the odd minute in the middle but they’re not props. We have 3 out and out props in that squad, which is a worry.

Looking like a hide behind the sofa kind of night

I wonder if Flower and Clark have seen their harris after being overlooked for selection last Saturday??

Yeah that'll be it

How many f'in back rowers does Lam want to select in his teams?

Isa
Farrell
O'Loughlin
Greenwood
Smithies
Partington (pretty much)
Shorrocks
McDonnell
Rushton

WTF

Hardaker
Manfredi
Halsall
Bibby
French
Smith
Hastings
O'Loughlin
Powell
Bullock
Farrell
Isa
Smithies

Singleton
Partington
Greenwood
Leuluai

The club had two initial positive results for Covid and four inconclusive results, with those guys being retested and the results coming back as one more positive and three negative. I’m wondering if the absence of guys like Clark and Flower tie in with that. If tests were inconclusive they may be sitting those guys out also just to be on the safe side.

I can’t for the life of me think we go in with three props. The absence of Ben Kilner is also a strange one unless he is also one of those guys affected by Covid. He is an out and out prop and did well against Saints.

Answers on postcard for the 3 missing players!

Ah my bad. I knew he could play at lock but thought he was predominantly a prop

The decision to go with 3 props again is bemusing but we have to consider whether the positive tests were props such as Flower/Clark which could be why he’s done that. Due to GDPR the likelihood is is that we’ll never know. That also is probably the reason we’ve named so many back rowers with the option of playing them at prop. Though I must admit I’d prefer Kilner in there than Shorrocks.

According to the club website Shorrocks is only 88 kg and Kilner is 113! Shorrocks has done well since coming into the team (and I'd like to see him in his natural position), but I think we all agree we need more beef up front.

I don't understand going with three props again in what is forecasted to be a rainy night. Of course I don't know the covid situation so maybe I am being harsh, but if Clarke and/or Flower are available I think they should be in the squad.

We'll get absolutely mullered up front. But then that's nothing new for Wigan.

I imagine Sam Halsall will play on the left wing with Jake Bibby at centre - I'm sure Gelling and Charnley will look forward to that.

Hopefully there will be some kind of response and it will be an enjoyable game but given the team sheet, opposition, forecast and disruption you cant see anything other than a convincing win for Warrington.

Thanks for the update NK
Unless there are injuries not yet disclosed I just don't understand the squad selection unless as you say the club is płaying safety first but the numbers quoted re Covid tests wouldn't explain the omission of Flower, Clark, Kilner and Byrne.
Interesting times

I’d forgot about Byrne, so you’re right that does seem one too many alongside Gildart, Burgess and Hankinson.

Who knows who is out for what reason but if any of those props has just been left out through Lams own choice, he is a mad man and he wants the sack.

If he has left out any of those props for other than injury or Covid related then he is deluded.

It wouldn't surprise me if there has been some fallout from last week which could explain maybe Flower and Clark. This is total speculation on my part other than being advised that Flower was not pleased about having to play versus Saints. I have no evidence for this at all but something just doesn't "smell right" at the moment. To go with just 3 props after Saturday's utter shambles is just jaw dropping at face value.

Maybe I'm just falling into the "conspiracy mire" that seems to be everywhere at the moment

Stranger things do happen Grimmy albeit, it is purely speculation on my part.
No squad is entirely happy even if it is a successful squad there are always cliques within a squad who will be unhappy.

Maybe it's PHE who are in charge of issuing the Covid linked numbers to the Wigan squad that is leading to confusion and speculation?
Or it could be Lam has looped the loop and thinks that we don't at least 4 props when we face Wire.

Interesting times

It surely must be Covid or injury that is the reason Lam's gone with three props after last week's debacle?
He can't believe that we only need three props against the likes of Hill, Cooper, Philbin etc, can he?
Mind you Tommy will start and be given the kicking job for 60 mins until Smith is brought on, so anything can happen, and probably will.

Will Lockers 20 minutes cost us the game again?