Women’s match preview: Bradford

[Warriors News]

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Wigan Warriors Women’s Betfred Women’s Super League fixture against Bradford Bulls Women.

The Warriors return to Warrington’s Victoria Park Arena on Sunday lunchtime (K.O. 12pm) as they prepare to get their second game underway after an emphatic win in the opening round. 

The Warriors Women beat Warrington 52-8 in Round 1.

The Warriors come off the back of that 52-8 win against Warrington Wolves in their season opener, with their opposition Bradford entering the fixture having been beaten 84-0 by St Helens two weeks ago.

Head to Head

Sunday’s fixture will be the fifth meeting between the two teams. With the Warriors having faced the Bulls four times in the Women’s Super League, recording three wins and one draw. 

Last four meetings:

• Bradford Bulls 10 – 34 Wigan Warriors
• Wigan Warriors 26 – 8 Bradford Bulls
• Bradford Bulls 16 – 20 Wigan Warriors
• Wigan Warriors 20 – 20 Bradford Bulls 

Team news

Kris Ratcliffe names the 19-player squad as he did for the Round 1 game against Warrington Wolves.

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Wigan Warriors Women matchday squad to face Bradford Bulls Women:

• Becky Greenfield
• Georgia Wilson
• Emily Stirzaker
• Emily Baggaley
• Megan Grace-Holding
• Rachel Thompson
• Alison Burrows
• Holly Speakman
• Carys Marsh
• Lucy Baggaley
• Vanessa Temple
• Paige Costello
• Vicky Molyneux
• Aimee Wood
• Anna Mary Davies
• Jade Gregory-Haselden
• Amy Boardman
• Eleanor Dainty
• Emma Dwyer

Coach quotes

Speaking to wiganwarriors.com, Women’s head coach Kris Ratcliffe said he expects his side to stay organised in order to beat their opposition this week.

“Bradford are coming off the back of a big loss and they will be very keen to make amends for that. I have watched the footage from that game and I thought they actually started really well. They caused Saints some problems in their early attacks, completed and competed well. If Bradford could have broken St Helens momentum from then on in, the game would have been a much closer contest – we mustn’t and won’t be complacent.

Kris Ratcliffe.

“We had two similar spells in each half against Warrington but then allowed soft errors to creep in and let them regroup. The challenge for us is when we get momentum, sticking to what works and keeping the pressure on.

“We have worked on a couple of areas from the Warrington game. I wasn’t happy with the tries that we conceded and I have challenged the girls to be more ‘Wigan like’ and ruthless in defence.

“I expect Bradford to come out strongly and to look to move the ball from the off. We will need to be organised in our defence, patient and disciplined in our attack. We will create opportunities for our strike players if we stick to our processes.

“There will be a couple of changes to the squad. We have players desperate to get on the pitch and competition is intense. I want that to bring out the very best performances consistently from each player that pulls on the Wigan shirt.”

How to follow

Wigan fans can follow every piece of the action via our website.

• Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including match report, and head coach and players’ reaction.

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