wigan should have it. if lomax plays at fullback it should be an awesome game. feels like for the first time in 3 years its been a while since we played.

I'd estimate about 1,000 left by now after recent news releases. Disappointing at this stage but I think sales will pick up over the next couple of days. I think the weather has put a few off and it won't be a sell out from our end but there should only be a couple of hundred left I would think.

Wigan are now selling tickets in the North Stand, so I am assuming Saints must have returned some.

Disappointing from our end that, it's usually full to the brim with Saints fans. However, I do feel the weather is probably the reason this year. For me Good Friday away is as much of a day out as it is a game and I do much prefer it when it's nice and warm. I think it was the 2011 match where it was scorching hot? Great day despite the loss.

Who's likely to play at 9 for you then?

I know our forwards are heavily depleted, but I was told that Warrington's pack would put us out of the game and that never materialised, so I'm not going into the game all doom and gloom.

Both teams have significant gaps in them compared to what first choice would be, and regardless of that I'd expect another cracker.

Ashe started against Salford at 9 and is in the squad again, but he was a bit laboured. Speakman, who has not made the squad this week, looked a lot brighter when he came off the bench. Flanaghan is touted as being able to play hooker and some have suggested Wello for the role, although I remain unconvinced.

Exactly. When he gets picked in that position ABOVE Wellens then you can say he's first choice.

We shall see who ends up at FB on Friday then. Seems Wellens isn't even second choice - if what's been said on our board is to be believed.

He's moving elsewhere because of injury. Again, hardly the same.

Brown has said Lomax is 100% first choice FB, I honestly don't know why you're trying to debate this on the Wigan board.

Must be true then

Let's just say that the 7 tries in 4 games that he's played there add credence to the statement.

Quote ="Conroy"Exactly. When he gets picked in that position ABOVE Wellens then you can say he's first choice.'" www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/27 ... nal-switch

Quote ="Conroy"Exactly. When he gets picked in that position ABOVE Wellens then you can say he's first choice.'" www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/27 ... nal-switch

Yes I get it. Nathan Brown has said that Lomax is FB and Wellens is LF, but he hasn't actually had the chance to prove this yet and it doesn't look like he will tomorrow either.

When both players are fit and Lomax is picked at 1 then I'll take it back. Until then, Wellens is your first choice FB as per the last side they were both picked in.


BTW do you think he would go with 1 - Lomax, 7 - Wilkin, 13 - Wellens when he can go with 1 - Wellens, 7 - Lomax, 13 - Wilkin? Personally I think he'd be stupid if he did.

Absolutely, and he'd be right to. Lomax is not a 7 and has been poor in that position for some time. On the other hand, he has looked absolutely sensational at full back and we've looked a completely different beast.

Quite why you claim to know better than the coach, both players and the fans who have actually watched Lomax this last month is rather odd, but each to their own.

I'm not saying I do, but Jonny Lomax has yet to be picked above Paul Wellens at FB and so can't be claimed as your first choice FB no matter how many times Nathan Brown says he is. Saints have played 3 games this season with both players in the side and Wellens has been at FB in each and every one.

It would be like Alex Ferguson saying Wayne Rooney is his first choice striker and then picking Javier Hernandez every week.

It's just as easy for me to say that Wellens has not been picked at full back since his injury when Lomax has been available, therefore it's impossible to say he has reclaimed the spot.

The truth is plain to see, but feel free to believe what you like!

Enjoy the game tomorrow

I have a feeling I won't (no real spine to the team without Lomax, Roby, Lance) but I live in hope.

Our pack will need to go out there and dominate - something they have been absolutely incapable of doing against most Wigan packs in recent memory. You have to hand it to your young forwards, they have an enormous amount of enthusiasm and bottle.

Wellens to hooker, Makinson fullback tomorrow?

Don't forget class! Dont fear, it will be a tight and intriguing game tomorrow like most derby matches.

I'd guess:

1 Makinson
6 Charnock
7 Wilkin
9/13 Wello/Flanagan

If Percival plays (big ask but he did well against Leeds and adds some spark/pace) I'd imagine Josh Jones will spell in the back row.

EDIT - just announced Howarth has signed from Salford (Gaskell joining them on loan) and will go into the Good Friday squad, so he may well play at 9 . . . .

Not as much as I worry about yours. LMS playing scrum half?

Wigan: S Tomkins, Charnley, Goulding, Thornley, Richards, Green, Smith, Crosby, McIlorum, Flower, Tuson, Farrell, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Hughes, Taylor, L Tomkins, Burke.

St Helens: Makinson, Garner, Turner, Percival, Meli, Wellens, Wilkin, Laffranchi, Howarth, McCarthy-Scarsbroook, Jones, Manu, Walker.
Replacements: Flanagan, Clough, Walmsley, Soliola.

Wellens at 6?

Yes. We've gone for the fastest pairing in the west. Watch them tear you a new one in the middle. (Well, they won't get much further than that anyway!)