Hardaker
Manfredi
Bibby
Farrell
French
Hastings
Leuluai
Havard
Powell
Singleton
Bateman
Smithies
Isa

Bullock
Byrne
Partington
Smith

I agree with that, but not sure Lam will.

Think he also probably still sees Smithies as a 13, god knows why.

A combination of French at fullback and Hardaker at centre is better for the team than Hardaker at fullback and French on the wing imo.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they switch them up a bit during games but I fully expect French to play at fullback. I just hope Hardaker can find the enthusiasm to keep playing as well as he is when he’s moved. Him in that form alongside French at his top level would be pretty special.

French might play on the wing for a game (replacing Hanley until Manfredi returns) but I fully expect him to be at fullback against Hull.

I'd ease him in on the wing. Send the message out to the squad that you can force your way in with good performances. I would like to see Halsall get another game for that reason, especially as we're low on backs.

I think there is a danger that we have a rusty French at full back and Zak sulking at centre and maybe not quite giving us 110% like when he was trying to claim the FB spot.

Looking forward to the game.
Two teams with four wins from the opening four games.
Looks like we’ll be weakened in the halves, with both Richardson and O’Brien struggling with injuries.

Manfredi has taken another whack on his hand apparently and after looking likely to play is now doubtful. Tommy a doubt with a sternum issue. French will be back and Gildart they’ll check week to week is what Lam has said at the press conference. Not sure what that means regards Gildart.

'Whack on the hand' and an extra week out might actually mean a compound fracture and three more months out with Lam.

We can only hope it’s just a minor issue and an extra week. You have to wonder about the lads well being with all these issues now on top of the knee problems over the years. I pray for his sake it really is just a very minor issue.

Manfredi desperately needs to play some games ASAP. Pretty sure his contract is out at the end of the season and currently there's no way it would get extended.

He must be the unluckiest bloke ever in terms of injuries.

It’s just getting ridiculous now with Manfredi. I wouldn’t renew his contract.

Starting to wonder if Manfredi has the bone density required to play professional RL.

I know it's tough on the lad, but he's no use to us sitting constantly on the treatment bench, and it can't be doing him any good if he gets injured every time he trains, never mind plays.

Do they not have strapping at Wigan? If he has injured his thumb again then it can't have been healed in the first place!

Pity about Richardson, he's a turnstile in defence.

Getting into Nigel Wright territory now with Manfredi, really hope he can get a good run injury free soon.

Sene-Lafeo banned for them. Cas fans going mad because Isa got off with the same thing apparently and put Tom Johnstone out for 4 weeks. Pretty sure Johnstone got injured last weekend the week after we played them. If it suits their argument though....... they should be beating us no excuses with us having no backs so if they don't I am looking forward to hearing how the ref won it for us.

Adrian Lam names Wigan’s 21-man squad to face Castleford Tigers.
One change in the 21 as Liam Byrne returns in the place of Sam Halsall.
Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers, Thurs 22nd April, DW Stadium, K.O. 6pm.
Adrian Lam has named the Wigan Warriors 21-man squad to face Castleford Tigers in Round 4 of the Betfred Super League this Thursday (K.O. 6pm).
Both sides head into the fixture with an unbeaten record in 2021 so far, having won all three of their league fixtures and their third round Challenge Cup ties.

Team News
Prop forward Liam Byrne returns for selection after serving a one-match penalty notice last week.

After being named in last week’s 21 but missing out on match day due to a slight back issue, Bevan French is named in the squad to face Castleford.

Injury news
In Monday’s press conference the head coach highlighted a slight concern over club captain Thomas Leuluai. He said: “He’s got a sternum issue. We will see how he pulls up and give it until captain’s run to decide.”

The the kiwi half back is included in the 21 to face Castleford on Thursday evening.

Dom Manfredi misses out this week after Lam confirmed the winger had taken a knock in training to the injured hand which has kept him out of action so far this season.

Oliver Gildart again misses out as he recovers from a groin strain which has halted the centre taking to the field in 2021 so far.

Jai Field remains unavailable after suffering a hamstring tear in Round 1 against Leigh Centurions

Liam Marshall continues his recovery from a knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament) which has kept him sidelined since September 2020.

Wigan Warriors 21-man squad to face Castleford

1. Bevan French
3. Zak Hardaker
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Brad Singleton
9. Sam Powell
10. Joe Bullock
11. Willie Isa
12. Liam Farrell
13. John Bateman
14. Oliver Partington
15. Morgan Smithies
17. Tony Clubb
19. Liam Byrne
20. Harry Smith
21. Ethan Havard
22. Jake Bibby
23. Mitch Clark
25. Joe Shorrocks
29. James McDonnell
30. Umyla Hanley
31. Jackson Hastings

Was.
Apparently he’s spent the off-season putting on weight and working on his defence.
Time will tell....

JSL has been a liability for two years now - he’s not much of a loss.
He also deserved his ban.

Hastings seemed to indicate Tommy would miss a couple of weeks

I think we’ll go

Hardaker
Bibby
Isa
Farrell
French
Hastings
Smith
Singleton
Powell
Clubb
Bateman
Smithies
Partington

Havard
Bryne
Shorrocks
Bullock

A week on the wing to assess French’s sharpness I reckon.

Is this being covered on the radio/WiganTV?

Talksport 2 the Super League website says.

I think it's also streamed on OurLeague but not sure if that's just for ST holders?

Audio commentary will be covered live on Wigan tv