Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane has said his side are “under the pump” in terms of injuries ahead of Saturday’s trip to Catalans – but says he’s excited by the challenge which lies ahead.
The Warriors travel to Perpignan at the weekend looking to move level on points with league leaders Hull following their slip-up at Huddersfield on Thursday.
But Wigan will be without some key men due to injury, with Joel Tomkins the latest to miss out.
And he said he’s looking forward to the challenge of so many young stars featuring in his team.
“We’ve got a lot of young kids in our team, people like Oliver Gildart and Jack Wells is playing. I like these challenges when we’re under the pump a bit,” Wane told Wigan Today.
“When we have an injury crisis like we’ve had this year it doesn’t really bother me that much if I’m honest – it’s just the way it is.”
Wane also spoke about the prospect of a Challenge Cup semi-final with Hull at Doncaster – and admitted he would have liked the tie to be played closer to home.
“I’ll not lie, I’d have preferred it to have been more local but it is what it is,” he told the club’s official website.
“I’ve never been there but we’ll have a good look at it before we go. From a playing side of things we’re not bothered which stadium it’s at, we’re just glad we’re in the semi-final and we just want to give ourselves a chance to reach the final.
“The fans have been great all year though and it’s important that they do what they can to get behind the team and support them in good numbers.”