And people say Mago can't do long minutes.

“Cade Cust likely to be missing for Wigan until at least international break. Cust has had his scans but club waiting to determine severity of injury suffered in the final. Thomas Leuluai also drops out this week for the Castleford game, given a breather after the final.“

I too fear it won't be pretty (and Cas is not a happy hunting ground for us), but it would be great if it was, as it's on Channel Four with, y'know, the nation watching...

Plenty saw us last week with a big shiny cup in our hands. They'll understand.

We could always do a Saints and cancel the next 2 games.

I would not be surprised to see a couple of interesting selections this week. The problem is that we have more room for manoeuvre in the forwards than the backs.

I’d imagine that anyone sober will have a decent chance at selection.

On a serious note it’s always really difficult for those that missed out on the final, privately gutted not to feature but having to be positive around the rest of the squad.

An opportunity for some to show what they can do and also put themselves in the shop window too.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2022/06/ ... tleford-3/

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2022/06/ ... tleford-3/

No use taking injury risks. We’re light in the centres anyway, so I’d rest Thornley if he’s anything but 100%. I’d take the more attacking option and go French at 1 and Field 6, rather than the safe option of Powell in the halves. We’re likely to be a bit loose after the celebrating and we might need to out score them in a points fest.

I’d go-

French
Miski Bibby Halsall Marshall
Field Smith
Singleton Powell Byrne
Bateman Farrell Ellis

Subs
Havard Mago
Isa Shorrocks

I’d give O’Neill a week out of the fire. It’s been one hell of a few weeks for the lad. Let him rest up, spend some time with the family and bring him back next week.

I'd go with that except swap Shorrocks and Ellis round, I'd like to see if Shorrocks can do 80 as a ball playing 13

Must admit that thought crossed my mind, as much as anything because it would be a nice reward for him missing out last week but still conducting himself so we’ll post match.

One thing looking at any potential teams I note is that the squad looks really strong. No grumbles from Wigan fans about missing a few, as it doesn’t make a huge difference to the quality of the starting 17.

Agree with NKs team with this switch.

Field and French both in the middle of the pitch with Shorrocks linking play could make for a fun afternoon.

O’Neill really struggled at Spurs imo (haven’t watched it back in full yet though), a week off would do him no harm.

Miski, Halsall, Shorrocks and Isa will freshen us up and be keen to impressed.

In reality I think Powell will play in the halves.

As daft as it sounds, we’re due a good performance (Wakey away semi type)…even with a few out, the lads who are still there are well capable.

Looks like we are still waiting for a good league performance.

I say it every week, we start the same every week, silly errors and penalties. It's so frustrating that we can't seem to improve it.

I think too many people have convinced themselves we have quality back up.

How is a kick to the face only a yellow?

They are only silly pens when the ref is this bent. High shot on Singo and nothing given. High shot by Byrne, when we're building pressure, and he gives it.

We are the least penalised team in SL.

Deliberate kick to face yellow card . Ridiculous decision

I hate this ref.

I’m highly dubious of Child on the best of days but with all the focus on his decisions from last week it was never going to be pretty today.

Smith tackled without the ball and he gives a knock-on. The guys a joke.

Obviously wants his TV time.

That's half my comment disputed, and fair enough. Where do we stand on enforced errors? And both penalties conceded and errors in the opening 20? Those were my points.

Pathetic half really. I’m coming to terms with us losing plenty in the league and thinking last week was as good as it gets for this year