RETIRING Liam Farrell is in contention to make his return for Wigan Warriors after more than two months out with a shoulder injury.
On Tuesday, coach Matt Peet expressed his hope that Farrell would be cleared to play again before hanging up his boots at the end of the season.
And the club captain has been named in Wigan’s 21-man squad as they bid to get the win they need to lift the League Leaders’ Shield against Catalans Dragons on Friday.
The other changes to that squad see injured centres Jake Wardle (calf) and George O’Loughlin (quad) come out, with Josh Cartwright going in.
While Farrell will hope to finish his career on the high of Grand Final glory, this week will be the end for Catalans’ Ben Garcia and Tommy Makinson.
Both are named in John Cartwright’s squad, although the Dragons careers of Alrix Da Costa (Hull FC), Edenn Rogers-Smith (Leeds Rhinos) and Kruise Leeming (Huddersfield Giants) are all over with none included.
Nick Cotric and Harvey Wilson return from injury, and Franck Maria from suspension.
SQUADS
Warriors: 1 Jai Field, 2 Zach Eckersley, 3 Adam Keighran, 5 Liam Marshall, 6 Bevan French, 7 Harry Smith, 8 Ethan Havard, 9 Brad O’Neill, 10 Luke Thompson, 11 Junior Nsemba, 12 Liam Farrell, 13 Kaide Ellis, 14 Sam Walters, 15 Patrick Mago, 17 Oliver Partington, 20 Sam Eseh, 23 Kian McDermott, 25 Taylor Kerr, 37 Josh Cartwright, 38 Austin Daniel, 41 Shea O’Connor
Outs: 4 Jake Wardle, 33 George O’Loughlin
Ins: 12 Liam Farrell, 37 Josh Cartwright
Dragons: 1 Charlie Staines, 2 Tommy Makinson, 3 Nick Cotric, 6 Toby Sexton, 7 Lewis Dodd, 10 Julian Bousquet, 11 Franck Maria, 13 Ben Garcia, 16 Josh Allen, 17 Romain Navarrete, 18 Harvey Wilson, 21 Matthieu Laguerre, 24 Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, 25 Lenny Marc, 26 Ugo Tison, 27 Clément Martin, 28 Léo Darrélatour, 29 Giovanni Descalzi, 30 Alexis Lis, 32 Adrian Delarose, 35 Mickael Goudemand
Outs: 9 Alrix Da Costa, 19 Kruise Leeming, 33 Edenn Rogers-Smith,
Ins: 3 Nick Cotric, 11 Franck Maria, 18 Harvey Wilson
Referee: Marcus Griffiths
STATS
Wigan’s ZACH ECKERSLEY has scored tries in the Warriors’ last three meetings with Catalans Dragons (>1-2-1).
Last ten meetings:
Catalans Dragons 16, Wigan 40 (SLR13, 6/6/26)
(at Stade Jean Bouin, Paris)
Catalans Dragons 4, Wigan 40 (SLR24, 30/8/25)
Wigan 28, Catalans Dragons 18 (SLR20, 25/7/25)
Catalans Dragons 0, Wigan 48 (SLR12, 24/5/25)
Catalans Dragons 18, Wigan 26 (SLR24, 31/8/24)
Wigan 30, Catalans Dragons 8 (SLR10, 2/5/24)
Catalans Dragons 2, Wigan 10 (SLGF, 14/10/23)
(at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Catalans Dragons 0, Wigan 34 (SLR23, 26/8/23)
Catalans Dragons 46, Wigan 22 (SLR14, 3/6/23)
(at St James’ Park, Newcastle)
Wigan 10, Catalans Dragons 18 (SLR4, 9/3/23)
Super League summary
Wigan won 38 (includes wins in 2023 Grand Final & 2008, 2011 and 2012 play-offs)
Catalans Dragons won 13
1 draw
Wigan highest score: 58-0 (H, 2010) (also widest margin)
Catalans Dragons highest score: 58-16 (H, 2015) (Widest margin: 48-0, H, 2021)
LUKE THOMPSON needs one appearance to reach 300 for his career.
– 80 for Wigan Warriors (2024-2026)
– 42 for Canterbury Bulldogs (2020-2023)
– 164 for St Helens (2013-2019)
– 1 for Rochdale Hornets (2015, dual-registration)
– 9 for England (2018, 2022, 2024)
– 3 for Great Britain (2019)
PATRICK MAGO needs one appearance to reach 150 for Wigan Warriors.
– Debut: Hull KR (a) (SL) (W24-10) (Substitute) (11 February, 2022)
JAI FIELD needs three tries to reach 100 for Wigan Warriors.
– (137 appearances, 2021-2026)
MATTHIEU LAGUERRE needs one appearance to reach 100 for his career.
– 83 for Catalans Dragons (2021-2026)
– 8 for Toulouse Olympique (2023, loan)
– 8 for France (2021-2024)