Wigan Warriors have today named the 19-man squad for Friday’s Betfred Super League game against Warrington Wolves.
The Warriors return to the UK following their tour of New South Wales and sit in second place having won both of their opening games.

Warrington won their first game of 2018 last week at Widnes and sit in seventh.

John Bateman is fit again and takes his place in the squad. There are also call-ups for Craig Mullen and Romain Navarrete after impressing during last week’s game against South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Joe Burgess and Dan Sarginson miss out with Frank-Paul Nuuausala the other absentee following his release.

Wigan Warriors 19-Man Squad
John Bateman, Tony Clubb, Tom Davies, Morgan Escaré, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Craig Mullen, Romain Navarrete, Sean O’Loughlin, Sam Powell, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, George Williams.

I wonder if Bateman ends up playing centre or if Mullen will get a crack?

Sarginson dropped? Who’s scapegoating him now?

Personally I thought Mullen and Navarette showed up quite well against the Souths so I am pleased that they have been given their chance in the squad however, I will be pretty surprised if Bateman doesn't start at centre and that Mullen & Navarette miss out.

I think that I saw some comment somewhere that Sarginson was carrying an injury so not totally surprised that he isn't named.

Good to see waney picking on form. Marshall, Naverette, Mullen in. Burgess and Sarge out.

Sam
Davies
Bateman
Gildart
Marshall
Williams
Powell
Flower
Leaulai
Clubb
Joel
Faz
Lockers

Isa
Sutton
Tautai
Escare.

I’d give Naverrette, Sarge, Burgess and maybe Field a run vs Widnes to keep the squad fresh.

Don’t care about performance Friday, win at all cost.

Good for Wane. Exactly the right squad.

Personally I like Nararette has looked better than TT this year. I'd pick Nararette.

I don't know much about Mullen. Has he played much centre? Guessing Sarginson and Burgess are injured rather than dropped, otherwise surely one would be 18th man

I see The Crab has kept his place and Hamlin is left out again, it sure does pay to be the coaches best buddy

Agreed for once, assuming you're referring to Joel. I don't get how he has a nailed down spot every week when we have the likes of Isa and Hamlin, who will presumably both miss out. He offers little.

Looks like Bateman to centre, pretty disappointing so early in the season.

Wanted 6ft tall left hander who can run 100m on grass between 12/13 seconds.
All applications to K Radlinski care of Wigan RLFC.

Early days, but I think that Joel has looked alright in the games I've seen him this year.

They'll be seeing this as a great opportunity to play us so soon after Oz. 3 wins out of 3, given that 2 of those were against Hull & Wire and a 20,000 mile round trip to boot would be a real achievement.

I think Mullen to centre is too much of a risk, I may be wrong but I thought he was a full back, though he played there for part of the Souths game he’s not had a lot of time there.

I’d go Bateman to centre for this one but last year Wane preferred Isa.

Excellent squad that. Wane is taking the opportunities that a fully fit squad is giving him to make it clear to players that you need to play well to keep your place.

I’ve read one or two comments on JT not deserving his spot but I’ve been pretty happy with him so far. He deserves a spot in the 19 at least. I don’t think you can say that for Sarginson or Burgess.

I wouldn't be so confident that they are dropped. Burgess missed the Salford and Hull games injured, Sarginson came off injured in the Salford game too. Has Wane commented either way?

Correct, he seems to be untouchable, sooner he's gone the better, one of the last members of the old boys club

I’m not sure what people have seen in Joel this year to warrant the negative comments. He’s been very good so far and is clearly benefiting from a full preseason. Fully deserves to keep his place based on Salford, Hull and Souths.

Force of habit with some.
I think the only players who have been relatively poor have been Burgess and Sarge, and i don't think either of them have been as bad as has been made out.
2 games in and some are looking to end players contracts...

For me - he gives away penalties, his carries are ineffective, and near the try line he runs sideways with the ball in one hand. He is technically far more talented than Isa or Hamlin, but I'd prefer either of them because they run hard and straight at gaps, and aren't as prone to giving up penalties.

As a Warrington fan I’d normally agree with that statement on Bateman at centre. However, having seen Bryson Goodwin play three games for us now I think Wane has it spot on. Goodwin is a monster and Bateman is the safest bet lining up against him.

My big worry was was Russell coping with kicks for Marshall, but we’ve put Mitch Brown there and no one really knows how that will pan out.

He’s given 4 penalties away this season and his size and athleticism has been a real positive. He does run sideways sometimes but not in our own half and when he does, he drags defenders out of the line and has a good off load which Isa doesn’t have.

I too want to see more of Hamlin and now that FPN has gone I think we will.

No he didn't

Correct
Joel done pretty well for me (i accept hes given a couple of niggly penalties away as usual) but hes made decent yards, added size and some good defense with 25 plus tackles per game.

Gelling/fpn/sarge and now Joel.
Like groundhog day with some

Are you saying he didn't miss them, or he wasn't injured? He definitely missed them, and the reason given for the Salford one at least was a thigh injury?

I'm saying he didn't miss both games due to injury.