Wigan Warriors take on Warrington Wolves at Magic Weekend

The Dacia Magic Weekend is finally upon us as Adrian Lam leads his Wigan Warriors side into the event for the last time as they face Warrington Wolves.

It was announced earlier this week that Warriors’ Head Coach Adrian Lam will leave his role at the end of the season after three years in charge of the Cherry and Whites.

They come into the game off the back of a much-needed win over play-off rivals Castleford Tigers as Wigan ran out 22-0 winners at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Tries from Jackson Hastings, Oliver Gildart, Liam Marshall and Brad Singleton meant Warriors ended a run of three games without winning and two games without even scoring a single try.

The win meant the Warriors sit fourth in the Betfred Super League with the play-off race beginning to heat up as we approach the last few rounds of the season.

As for Warrington, they’ve been impressive in recent weeks, especially since the arrival of former Wigan player George Williams, who turned down a return to his hometown club to join Wire back in July.

Wolves are coming into this game off the back of a defeat against second-placed St Helens despite showing great spirit late in the first half to get back into the game.

Saints took an early 10-0 lead but the home side got two tries in the final eight minutes of the half to turn the game on its head. Stefan Ratchford then kicked home a penalty to give Wire a 14-10 lead at the interval.

However, the second half was controlled by the Saints who got tries through Mark Percival and James Bentley to seal a 24-14 win that all but ended Warrington’s hopes of a top-two finish and setting up a very exciting encounter at Magic Weekend between the top two teams, St Helens and Catalan Dragons.

Wigan Warriors Head Coach Adrian Lam was excited about going to Newcastle and discussed how he was a ‘big supporter’ of events that promote the Rugby League in this country.

Wigan have announced a return for Sam Powell, who has the most tackles in the Super League this season, in their 21-man squad. Umyla Hanley also makes a return after Jay Field misses out with a minor groin strain and Amir Borough is also missing from the squad.

As for Warrington, they have named Blake Austin and Josh Charnley in the squad after both have been missing in the last few games. Tom Lineham is missing from the squad as he serves the first of his two-match suspension.

The clash between third and fourth will be one of high interest on the second day of the Magic Weekend. Both squads are looking strong before they face off at St James’ Park and it will be a highly anticipated clash for George Williams as he faces his former side for the first time.

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