Wigan Warriors look to complete the league double over rivals Warrington

On Friday night, Wigan Warriors host their local rivals, Warrington Wolves, as they try to keep up the pace with league leaders St. Helens.

In the reverse fixture at the Halliwell Jones stadium in April, it was the Warriors who came out victorious with a fantastic display to topple the Wire 22-40.

Head coach Matty Peet will be hoping his side can complete the league double over the Wolves on Friday night, to ensure they keep up the pace in the battle for the league leaders shield, and also keep the local bragging rights.

Warrington remain without a win away from home since February and will not face a tougher test than a trip to the DW. They have lost their last three games now after a damaging defeat to Huddersfield last week, and are right in the thick of it in the bottom three of the Super League.

The Warriors are also unbeaten at the DW Stadium in all competitions in 2022, winning all 11 of their 11 home fixtures.

However, they come into this match after a peculiar July, winning one week then losing the next. They won three of their five games, with the last match a thumping victory over Hull KR. So, if the exact form continues, the Wire could win.

Sandwiched in between their last two remarkable victories came a heavy defeat to the Leeds Rhinos. However, in the Warriors last two victories they scored a combined total of 106 points whilst only conceding four. So the question does remain, which Wigan side will turn up?

As for the team news, Wigan have made three changes to the side that dominated Hull KR last weekend.

Into the squad come Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba and Brad Singleton who is back from suspension. Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill and star Hooker Sam Powell, who has picked up an injury, drop out of the 21 man squad.

Prop Forward Mike Cooper is set to face his former club for the first time after being granted an early release from the Wolves last month.

Wigan’s main threats are still available to face the Wire. Jai Field will look to continue what has been a superb debut season in the Super League, whilst the league’s most inform player, Bevan French, will also look to continue with his destructive run, after scoring 15 tries in just five games last month.

Daryl Powell makes just the one change to the 21-man squad that he named last weekend. Josh Thewlis comes back into the side to replace the injured Matt Dufty.

Whilst Thewlis has showed promise on many occasions this year, not being able to call upon Dufty’s brilliance will seriously hurt the Wolves. The Australian fullback will be out for a few weeks having only played half a game for the club.

Wolves Front Rower, Matty Nicholson, could also face his former club for the first time on Friday night having joined Warrington early last month.

The match will be live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30pm, with Kick Off at 8pm.

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