Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers will do it all again tonight, less than a week on from their fantastic Challenge Cup quarter-final. And the Warriors will be out for revenge, after Cas got the edge last time out to advance to the semi-finals of the cup, at the expense of last year’s winners.
Wigan are able to welcome back some fresh faces for the contest tonight, though. Prop Scott Taylor, centre Darrell Goulding and playmaker Sam Powell all return – Jack Hughes, Ryan Sutton and Greg Burke are the Warriors trio to miss out.
Castleford Tigers boss Daryl Powell has also made three changes following the Cup victory, with winger Justin Carney back after a two-match suspension. Prop Nathan Massey is fit after an ankle injury, while utility back Ben Roberts is also added to the squad.
Powell’s side have won both encounters with Wigan this season, beating the Warriors 36-31 at home in March as well as Saturday’s victory in the Cup.
The Squads
Wigan: Bateman, Bowen, Burgess, Crosby, Dudson, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Goulding, Hampshire, James, Manfredi, McIlorum, O’Loughlin, Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Taylor, Williams.
Castleford: Dixon, Shenton, Carney, Dorn, Sneyd, Milner, Huby, Millington, Hauraki, Massey, Holmes, Mariano, Wheeldon, Ellis, Gibson, Clare, Finn, Reynolds, Jewitt.
The Stats
Castleford’s Kirk Dixon has scored a try in each of the Tigers’ last three meetings with Wigan.
The Tigers have won their last four matches in all competitions. Their last defeat was the 22-14 reverse against Leeds back on 8 May.
Wigan’s George Williams has the longest unbeaten run of appearances in the squad at the current time. He has played the last 14 games.
The Prediction
Wigan rarely lose two games on the bounce – and they will be seething after their early cup exit at the hands of the Tigers last time out. Expect them to bounce back in style tonight by upsetting Cas.
