Fri 26th Aug: SL: Wigan Warriors v St Helens KO 20:00 (Sky)

[John Drake]

Discuss Wigan Warriors v St Helens here.

[Chris22]

Our pack looks strong, but we have choices in the backs. As I see it:

Bennison, Makinson, Hurrell, Davies, Simm, Lomax, Welsby 

Or

Welsby, Makinson, Hurrell, Davies, Bennison, Lomax, Roby.

I think these are the most likely. Especially the last one as it involves not playing Simm, which Woolf would prefer.

Wildcard options involve putting Davies at 6 and moving Batchelor to centre. Even more wild options involve Lussick or Bell at scrum half. But Woolf doesn't do wild!

I'd also be keen for Makinson to line up opposite French. French v Davies or Simm would be a disaster.

I'm not too concerned if we lose. We lost to Catalans in September 2021 and Wigan in October 2020 but went on to win the Grand Final against the same opponents. Equally, we have beaten Leeds late in season and lost when it matters several times.

Looking forward to a good game, hopefully avoiding injuries. Must confess it would be nice to secure league leaders at the DW though!

[FearTheVee]

Be nice to win but just feels like a bunch of injuries/bans waiting to happen and a game we could do without.

[Josef K]

A Wigan win. The Saints back line is very weak without Percival, Grace & Hopoate. If Woolf goes with Hurrell & Davies in the centres or Davies in the halves we will be in trouble. 
I think we will struggle to make the GF. 

[Cw25]

Wigan 12-26 St Helens

[SalfordSlim]

12 hours ago, Chris22 said:

Wildcard options involve putting Davies at 6 and moving Batchelor to six. 

 

So what's the difference between a 6 and a six then? Is it the style of play they adopt?

[hullste]

Why are Saints and Wigan getting less than 3 days to recover b4 Monday's game whilst Leeds and Hudds get 5, no bias there obvs..... Defo will be reserve squads for Monday for both. 

Head says Wigan, heart says Saints for this one. 

[Davo5]

14 minutes ago, hullste said:

Why are Saints and Wigan getting less than 3 days to recover b4 Monday's game whilst Leeds and Hudds get 5, no bias there obvs..... Defo will be reserve squads for Monday for both. 

Head says Wigan, heart says Saints for this one. 

Because the sport could care less about player welfare,it’s all about cramming as many games as possible into the schedule.

[hullste]

Still doesn't answer why 2 teams defo in the playoffs are being asked to play 2 games in 3 days a couple of weeks before the start of the playoffs crazy

[Harry Stottle]

1 hour ago, hullste said:

Still doesn't answer why 2 teams defo in the playoffs are being asked to play 2 games in 3 days a couple of weeks before the start of the playoffs crazy

Don't they get the first week off in the play-offs? As in the Championship.

[Exiled Wiganer]

We need one win to finish second, from 3, and the home games are the best way to achieve that. As our motivation will be higher, I think we’ll win. 

[hullste]

54 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Don't they get the first week off in the play-offs? As in the Championship.

A week off won't matter if injuries are picked up through playing 2 games in less than 3 days this late in the season. Hence it will be a youth /reserve team fielded on Monday

[hullste]

54 minutes ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

We need one win to finish second, from 3, and the home games are the best way to achieve that. As our motivation will be higher, I think we’ll win. 

Saints need 1 win/draw from 3 to finish top, so think motivation will be the same

[GeordieSaint]

Saints sold out their 4,000 allocation.

[Fevrover]

4 hours ago, hullste said:

Still doesn't answer why 2 teams defo in the playoffs are being asked to play 2 games in 3 days a couple of weeks before the start of the playoffs crazy

Sky dictating who plays and when ? After all aren't they the one's paying for the privilege?

[Josef K]

10 hours ago, GeordieSaint said:

Saints sold out their 4,000 allocation.

Blimey that’s good, i didn’t think people would be that interested even though i am going myself. But i have been badgered into going. 
I just hope there is no throwing of ale from the Yoof further back in the stand.

Is it cashless at the DW ?. 

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

Perhaps Wigan as the home side, but anything's possible when these two meet.

[Chris22]

Rumour is Tommy Makinson out for us. Squad numbers 2 - 5 all out now.

I expect a backline something like: Welsby, Bennison, Hurrell, Batchelor, Simm, Lomax, Davies

Not fancying our chances with French and Field running at that backline!

[Old Frightful]

On 25/08/2022 at 12:59, GeordieSaint said:

Saints sold out their 4,000 allocation.

That's very impressive.

The World's biggest derby and 4.000 Saints' fans have decided to travel the arduous 9.7 miles to potentially see their team lift the LLS.

It clearly doesn't get much better than that...

[Chris22]

1 hour ago, Chris22 said:

Rumour is Tommy Makinson out for us. Squad numbers 2 - 5 all out now.

I expect a backline something like: Welsby, Bennison, Hurrell, Batchelor, Simm, Lomax, Davies

Not fancying our chances with French and Field running at that backline!

Scratch that, Batchelor out too apparently.

Edit: thankfully, that one was nonsense.

[Davo5]

KPP & Isa in the centre’s is a worry & shows how woeful our recruitment has been in that position.

[Old Frightful]

Having seen the two line ups I can't see past a home win. One or three unfamiliar faces in the Skints' line up and Wigan seemingly coming towards an almost full strength run in towards the end of the season if Matt Peet is to be believed.

Should hopefully be a belter.

Pies 28 Sintellerns 18.

[Ragingbull]

Cant believe its not a sell out

[Old Frightful]

Plenty of empty seats at the World's biggest derby.

[andyscoot]

15 minutes ago, Old Frightful said:

Having seen the two line ups I can't see past a home win. One or three unfamiliar faces in the Skints' line up and Wigan seemingly coming towards an almost full strength run in towards the end of the season if Matt Peet is to be believed.

Should hopefully be a belter.

Pies 28 Sintellerns 18.

Kiss of death, cheers