Wigan Warriors Head Coach Adrian Lam has named his 19-man squad to face Salford Red Devils this Sunday (K.O. 3pm).
Last season Wigan comfortably beat Salford at the AJ Bell Stadium 12-40, but the Warriors will come up against a very different and difficult Salford challenge this time around.
Salford have started 2019 well, picking up three victories this campaign so far, this most eye catching being a 0-46 victory away to Catalans Dragons.
On facing Salford Head Coach Adrian Lam said earlier this week, “They had a fantastic win a few weeks ago over in Catalans and they have been playing really well. We’ve got to prepare to make sure that we are at our absolute best.
“We feel we have taken a step forward with our on-field attitude and the way that we’ve been training so I look forward to it.”
Injury news
After 11 months out with a knee injury (ACL), Joe Burgess returns for selection. Following a mouth injury sustained during the defeat to Huddersfield two weeks ago, Dom Manfredi also returns.
Sam Powell continues his recovery from a ankle injury picked up in the defeat to Huddersfield two weeks ago. He is expected to be side-lined for a further two weeks.
Liam Marshall remains on the road to recovery from a knee injury sustained in the defeat to Huddersfield.
Morgan Escare is unavailable for selection after pulling up in training earlier this week.
Prop-forward Taulima Tautai will serve the second of his three-match ban.
Wigan 19-man squad to face Salford Red Devils
Joe Bullock, Joe Burgess, Liam Byrne, Tony Clubb, Tom Davies, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Joe Greenwood, Gabe Hamlin, Zak Hardaker, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Dom Manfredi, Romain Navarrete, Sean O’Loughlin, Jarrod Sammut, Dan Sarginson, Jake Shorrocks, George Williams.

Hardaker
Burgess Sarg Gilly Manfredi
Williams Sammut
Flower Tommy Naverrette
Greenwood Isa
Lockers
----------------
Bullock Clubb Hamlin Shorrocks

Wouldn't disagree with that but it could be risky bringing back 2 wingers from injury and probably a little unfair on Davies.
Hopefully a win can be secured to get a bit of confidence back.

I agree with this lineup. What will be interesting to see is how they go, because with the exception of Liam Farrell this is probably our strongest 17, although some people may make a case for Powell or Escare instead of Shorrocks. I appreciate that some players are just coming back to fitness, but if the wheels come off in this game, I would be extremely concerned about the remainder of the season with regard to league position and attendances which will have a knock on effect for 2020 for whoever is coach.

It's a very winnable game...and if you want to be clear of relegation worries, it's the type of game Wigan need to be winning.
Lose this and alarms will ring...
If that is the team posted above...it's a heavy bench and that can unlock Salford who don't have that luxury.

On last weeks performance, Davies should keep his place, and Hamlin should be left out. I'd also probably have Byrne in for Navarette.
I'm not sure if Greenwood or Flower will be fit though.

I'll be pleasantly surprised if Greenwood plays the way he limped off last week, we're lightweight in the 2nd row again if he doesn't.

We need both of them to play.

Flower is so important to us at the moment. We realistically have one prop forward in the whole club who looks top level and he’s that man. The rest look a mixture of raw potential with flaws, young kids, out of form or over the hill.

Agreed. Actually, I was satisfied with Bullock until I watched Sutton for Canberra yesterday. Different class at this stage though I have hopes for Bullock.

I thought Bullock had his first real wobble last week with Warrington giving him a torrid time around the ruck but it’s early days. He’s clearly got the go forward in him, so it’ll just be the defensive side of his game and the technical stuff he’ll need to work at.

Ryan Sutton is not getting much time but has looked impressive in his short minutes. It’s noticeable that he’s finally decided to get himself in really good shape, which I actually find quite disrespectful to a club the size of Wigan! To think that it’s took a move to the NRL to really get him to knuckle down is pretty sad. He got himself fitter last year (probably because he knew about the move) but looks a totally different beast now.

Yeah, ain't no puppy-fat in the NRL!

No, but who was the St George player that Vossy described as having the body of a “40 year old just out of the pub”?

George Rose a few years back?

No it was said just last weekend. George Rose was a big lad though!

I always thought George Rose was the last of the fatties!