Adrian Lam names 21-man squad to face Salford Red Devils Three changes as Oliver Gildart returns alongside Joe and George Burgess. Wigan Warriors vs Salford Red Devils, Friday 23rd October, Totally Wicked Stadium, K.O. 5:30pm. Adrian Lam has named the Wigan Warriors 21-man squad to face Salford Red Devils this Friday in Round 17 of the Betfred Super League. After last weekend’s bout with Catalans was postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests in the Warriors camp, Lam’s men return to action this weekend, taking on Coral Challenge Cup Final losers Salford after Wigan posted two rounds of all negative tests. (Learn more HERE).
Ian Watson’s side came away victorious last time the two faced off back in March at the AJ Bell Stadium, narrowly pipping the Cherry and Whites 18-14 in what became both club’s final fixture before the national lockdown.
The Wigan Head Coach has made three changes to the 21 that was named to face Catalans (before the postponement), with Oliver Gildart returning alongside Joe and George Burgess.
Youngsters Amir Bourouh and Sam Halsall, along with captain Sean O’Loughlin miss out.
After returning for selection last week, prop-forward Tony Clubb is again available and looking to make his return to action this weekend. The experienced forward has not featured since early March, spending time on the sidelines recovering from a neck injury.
Injury news Youngster Ethan Havard continues to recover from an ankle injury first sustained against Leeds Rhinos in Wigan’s Coral Challenge Cup Semi Final defeat.
Back-rower Jack Wells remains sidelined following a MCL tear and knee dislocation suffered against St Helens in Round 14.
Winger Liam Marshall continues his long-term recovery from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament knee injury sustained during the Round 10 tie with Castleford.
21-man squad to face Salford Red Devils
1. Zak Hardaker 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Joe Burgess 6. Bevan French 7. Tommy Leuluai 8. Tony Clubb 9. Sam Powell 10. George Burgess 11. Willie Isa 12. Liam Farrell 14. Ben Flower 15. Joe Greenwood 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Oliver Partington 19. Joe Bullock 21. Dom Manfredi 23. Jake Bibby 28. Harry Smith 31. Jackson Hastings 33. Joe Shorrocks 38. Brad Singleton
Adrian Lam names 21-man squad to face Salford Red Devils Three changes as Oliver Gildart returns alongside Joe and George Burgess. Wigan Warriors vs Salford Red Devils, Friday 23rd October, Totally Wicked Stadium, K.O. 5:30pm. Adrian Lam has named the Wigan Warriors 21-man squad to face Salford Red Devils this Friday in Round 17 of the Betfred Super League. After last weekend’s bout with Catalans was postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests in the Warriors camp, Lam’s men return to action this weekend, taking on Coral Challenge Cup Final losers Salford after Wigan posted two rounds of all negative tests. (Learn more HERE).
Ian Watson’s side came away victorious last time the two faced off back in March at the AJ Bell Stadium, narrowly pipping the Cherry and Whites 18-14 in what became both club’s final fixture before the national lockdown.
The Wigan Head Coach has made three changes to the 21 that was named to face Catalans (before the postponement), with Oliver Gildart returning alongside Joe and George Burgess.
Youngsters Amir Bourouh and Sam Halsall, along with captain Sean O’Loughlin miss out.
After returning for selection last week, prop-forward Tony Clubb is again available and looking to make his return to action this weekend. The experienced forward has not featured since early March, spending time on the sidelines recovering from a neck injury.
Injury news Youngster Ethan Havard continues to recover from an ankle injury first sustained against Leeds Rhinos in Wigan’s Coral Challenge Cup Semi Final defeat.
Back-rower Jack Wells remains sidelined following a MCL tear and knee dislocation suffered against St Helens in Round 14.
Winger Liam Marshall continues his long-term recovery from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament knee injury sustained during the Round 10 tie with Castleford.
21-man squad to face Salford Red Devils
1. Zak Hardaker 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Joe Burgess 6. Bevan French 7. Tommy Leuluai 8. Tony Clubb 9. Sam Powell 10. George Burgess 11. Willie Isa 12. Liam Farrell 14. Ben Flower 15. Joe Greenwood 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Oliver Partington 19. Joe Bullock 21. Dom Manfredi 23. Jake Bibby 28. Harry Smith 31. Jackson Hastings 33. Joe Shorrocks 38. Brad Singleton
1. Bevan 2. Dom 3. Hardaker 4. Gildart 5. Burgess 6. Hastings 7. Smith 8. Singleton 9. Powell 10. Bullock 11. Faz 12. Isa 13. Greenwood
If selected and puts in anything less than a twenty minute spell of decent quality we really do need to ask who is making this decision to include him?
For me it's probably his last chance this season, a year has been wasted on top dollar. Maybe a deal would need to be done with George to encourage retirement.
If selected and puts in anything less than a twenty minute spell of decent quality we really do need to ask who is making this decision to include him?
For me it's probably his last chance this season, a year has been wasted on top dollar. Maybe a deal would need to be done with George to encourage retirement.
Fully agree. It really is make or break this next spell. If there is no change then he’s clearly ready to hang up the boots from a physical point of view. If they believed rest and physio work could fix this then we should see the proof. If there is an operation that could fix the issue then surely he’d have had it by now, as his level of performance hasn’t been anywhere near good enough to warrant playing on with pain and you’d just get the op done ready to start again in 2021.
If he can bang out a 20min performance, show some decent mobility and isn't in pain then it'll be a success imo. If he's pain free and has his mobility back then there's something there to build on.
I'm putting the money side of things to one side, as he's got a contract and there's little we can do about that.
If he can bang out a 20min performance, show some decent mobility and isn't in pain then it'll be a success imo. If he's pain free and has his mobility back then there's something there to build on.
I'm putting the money side of things to one side, as he's got a contract and there's little we can do about that.
There's two types of people in this world.
1. I'm contracted and regardless of how well I perform on the pitch (or indeed if I do at all) then that's what has been agreed, that's what I'm owed and will see it out until the bitter end if I can.
2. I'm contracted however I know my performances so far do not justify the wages I am being paid and I feel that I'm letting the club down, I'm in constant pain and it's not going to get any better. Maybe we can come to an agreement to allow me to retire early.
1. I'm contracted and regardless of how well I perform on the pitch (or indeed if I do at all) then that's what has been agreed, that's what I'm owed and will see it out until the bitter end if I can.
2. I'm contracted however I know my performances so far do not justify the wages I am being paid and I feel that I'm letting the club down, I'm in constant pain and it's not going to get any better. Maybe we can come to an agreement to allow me to retire early.
I know which I am.
The majority would select option one myself included. Those who would select option two clearly don't have mortgages or bills to pay or actually live in the real world.