I think abandoning this option off the back of one very poor performance is silly. It may have made some sense if French is a much better defender but I'm not sure he is.

I don't think Peet will go that way though - he'll either stick to the Saints lineup or revert to the 2022 line up with Bevan on the wing and one of Cust/Hampshire coming in.

He seemed to indicate in his Wigan TV interview that we’ll be sticking with French at 6. It’s not just the shuffling around at halfback that is hurting defensively, it’s the people on the inside and outside of the stand off changing. We’ve swapped second rowers and then took King out last week as well.

I’ve no issue with Field at 1 and French 6 because I think French can do what he does at 1, when playing at 6 and it’s nice to have Fields legs at the back but we need to let things settle around them now. In saying that, I’m swapping both the right sided centre and second rower again in my team but I’d be sticking with it after that.

Field has been doing well recently with the boot.

I love French or Field in the halves in attack as I feel French is just a waste on the wing (especially doing yardage carries) but the defence issues for hard to watch. Field seems better attacking at 6 than French but vice verca in defence.

Could French not play 6 but defend out on the wing? Just means Miski defending in the centres and King in the half back spot.

Think King would be fine but Miski defending at centre may be an issue. Perhaps okay Thornley on the wing as he’ll be used to defending in the centres.

Just a thought!

Anyway the above won’t happen so my normal thoughts.

As NK has said I expected and wanted Powell back in for this game. Cade Cust is really bad defending and the likes of Vaughan etc will have joy running over him all day. Powell was very good against Wire in April and played loose for a lot of the game as we were short. Somethings going on there.

I’d also bring King back in for Thornley. I feel the Catalans right side defence issues were mostly caused by Field and not King. Thornley had a shocker against Saints last week particularly first half.

I’d like Nsemba to get back in the squad. As above he seemed to be scapegoated for the Catalan game. Had a flick through the reserves win against Saints and he seemed to be involved in most tries. Shorrocks has been ineffective since moving back to the pack, maybe a bench spot.

Havard back is brilliant, one of the best props in SL but under the radar even with some Wigan fans. Comfortably our best prop.

Sorry for rambling my team with that squad

Field
Miski/Thornley
King
Wardle
Marshall
French
Smith
Byrne
O’Neill
Singleton
Smithies
Farrell
Ellis

Havard
Shorrocks
Cust
Nsemba

Just seen a nice feature on twitter about Big Junior, with his Dad explaining about his upbringing. Nice unique story.

I’m guessing it’ll get shown before the game, he still may not play but we’ll see.

Cracking piece that. Wasn’t sure which country his family came from and certainly didn’t know Rigobert Song was his uncle and Alex Song his cousin (famous footballers from the Cameroon for anyone who doesn’t know the names).

On Wigans feed?

They retweeted it mate, the account it came from was @TheChallengeCup

1 - Field
2 - French
3 - Eckersley
4 - Wardle
5 - Marshall
6 - Cust
7 - Smith
8 - Byrne
9 - Powell
10 - Singleton
11 - Farrell
12 - Smithies
13 - Ellis

14 - Forber
15 - Hill
16 - Nsemba
17 - Havard

Powell not even in the squad

Or Forber. Or Eckersley.

I know, but they would be if I was picking the team.

In that case then....

Tedesco
Cobbo
Mitchell
Holmes
Addo-Carr
Munster
Cleary
Fa'asuamaleaui
Koroisau
Cotter
Young
Arrow
Carrigan

Grant
Martin
Paulo
Haas

No Escare?

Forgot him. He's in for Tedesco.

Good piece that. Seems an unassuming kid with a very proud Dad. Looks like a talented footballer too!

Anyone get the feeling his dad fancied the riches being a footballer brings?!



Seems a really nice kid. I loved the Wilkin interview with him after the last round. I really hope he’s back involved tomorrow, I think we need his size and power.

Just no with the reason for throwing Mago in instead of Hill. We are so, so poor at blooding young forwards. To have half a chance as a 19 year old prop, he needs game time in a stronger pack rather than just filling in for injuries. Look at the rotations the likes of Jamie Peacock, Stuart Fielden, James Graham, Sam Burgess, Oledszki were introduced into. A huge part of their developments was being given game time within strong packs. Our if needs must approach is all wrong.

You saying you’re playing Hill then?

I’d just be a bit worried about there being no Powell, so you’ve got O’Neill, Nsemba and possibly Hill all in the same side. It feels a bit inexperienced against Wires pack to me but I can’t say I’m desperate to see Mago. I’d just edge towards Mago over Hill based on size/experience but my faith in him is as low as it’s been at any point.

Didn't Peacock start out as a SR?

Hill in our pack as it is feels desperate. I'd understand having him as 4th choice behind 3 quality props (As 4th behind Walmsley, Paasi and Lees for example) but with the run of form we've had and the injuries etc I'm not sure.

I've seen enough in Hill's attitude alone to have him in before Mago. At Saints he was better than Mago and at least had a proper go. Already I see Hill as less of a liability in defence too. Have we seen a single Mago performance since he came over where he really took it to the opposition? I just don't think he brings anything that Hill doesn't...maybe 1 or 2 big drives maximum a game, but very lazy defence.

As you say faith in him to step up dwindles very game...he's had enough chances for me. I think both for tomorrow & benefits in the long term it has to be Hill.

It’s a sign of just how poor a signing Mago has been that we’d even debate putting a 19 year old prop in ahead of him, at the same time as potentially having a 20 year old hooker and a 19 year old second rower. We need to buck the trend of the past 10-15 years and sign better props in the next off season.

He did, and Burgess did also (I think?). Either way, they went into packs that were something like, not just thrown in when there was injuries.

I'm convinced we're no worse with Hill instead of Mago, with the potential for him to go well. Mago's ambling runs and upright wrestles play right into Wires hands. That's easy work for their big lads.

I could certainly be sold. I thought Hill played well at Saints and Mago was Mago. I read some talk that a team or two are interested in Mago for this season. If we could get a good replacement, it could really aid our chances of achieving anything.

Just picking up this thread, last time Mago had any impact was Wakefield away in in last years QF!!!!

Its a tough one for Peet and Lam was criticised for throwing in Byrne/Havard/Parto but 2 of the three have worked out (Parto a near miss?)

The best way has been mentioned, play young forwards in a strong pack and don't wait until you have to throw them in.
Our recent way of playing also means we need 4 forwards on the bench, otherwise we get steamrolled and it limits other options. Hill is a very good prospect, with good hands and rugby instincts but a bit on the small side yet. There are a couple of bigger props in the Reserves who might be suited to promotion right now.