Lam previews Catalans

[Warriors News]

• Wigan Head Coach looks ahead to Saturday’s Betfred Super League encounter with Catalans Dragons.
• Lam: “We want to respond this week.”
• Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors, Saturday 12th September, Gilbert Brutus Stadium, Perpignan, K.O. 5pm UK time.

Head Coach Adrian Lam expects a response from his squad following last week’s defeat to Hull KR when they face Catalans this Saturday in Perpignan.

The Cherry and Whites will make history in being the first Betfred Super League side to make the trip away to France since the resumption of the division this weekend.

The game will hold further significance, being the first since lockdown to see the return of fans to stadia, albeit a limited number.

Speaking to the media via Zoom link on Wednesday, the Warriors’ boss detailed the feelings in the Wigan camp ahead of the trip.

Adrian Lam speaking to the

“It’s brilliant! I think everyone’s excited about that (playing in front of a crowd), and also the challenge of facing Catalans, who are now top of the table.”

After a disappointing result against Hull KR last weekend, Lam highlighted the importance of a good performance in Perpignan.

“All the players, after last week, are disappointed with the result. We want to respond this week by going out, playing a quality side and stepping it up a gear.”

This week has thrown up a number of challenges, first through COVID-19 testing (learn more HERE) and then the news of the league table alterations from points gained to win percentage (learn more HERE).

On dealing with the COVID-19 testing the Head Coach said: “We were a little rattled at first to be honest, because we’ve been working really hard as a club to keep it at bay.

“We were all tested again and they all came back negative, so we could return to training yesterday as normal.

Here's how the updated @betfred Super League table looks pic.twitter.com/Ju6W0PH3m4

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 9, 2020

“Every club will experience it at some stage, it would be amazing if they don’t. It’s just about how you handle it and I think we’ve been pretty good as a club.”

In relation to the league table changes, which saw Wigan drop down to fourth: “No one’s ever going to be happy with the outcome, and the RFL have found this to be the fairest way.

“It’ll be a difficult one at the end of the season if teams have played a lot less games and are ahead of you in the table. That’s going to be hard to accept for those teams that are in that situation.

“All we can do as a club is keep winning, win every week and that will take care of itself.”

In team news, Lam discussed a number of players who are to come back into the fold this weekend.

O’Loughlin in training this week.

“Ethan Havard and Joe Bullock are back in, Sean O’Loughlin, Joe Burgess and Tommy Leuluai in the mix too.”

However, the tie with Catalans looks to be too soon for prop-forward George Burgess: “Hopefully he’s back in the next week or two.”

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