Josh Charnley would be pleased.

With their weakened squad Wigan have about as much chance of beating us as Saints did in march.

Ben Thaler ref on Saturday
Very good referee is Ben


17 May KO:19:15 Super League Rd: 13
Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Ref: B Thaler Vid Ref: P Bentham
Touch J: R Hicks In Goal: P Marklove
Touch J: C Sharrad
Reserve: C Kendall Time K: G Kershaw
M Com: I McGregor VR Op: S Ganson

I'm a little dissapointed. I want to see good, hard games like the last three with the opponents best team at their best.

Still, nothing you can do about injuries, we've some ourselves (though clearly not as many as Wigan).

I fully expect Wigan to provide a real test and the Saints game away should provide any complacent fans (or players) with a reality check.

Much to be admired about Wigan in the last few years in terms of their junior development and introduction into the 1st team. No surprise that Saints, us and Wigan have shared all the recent Grand Final wins and a model all clubs should follow.

Well, you say recent Grand Final wins......

It was 2005 the last time someone who wasn't leeds saints or wigan won the grand final and even in appearences theres only been 3 occasions (2006, 2012, 2013) where the grand final hasn't been contensted by 2 of those three.

Basically, they are dominating superleague.

Perfectly correct ,business as usual, it's us saints or Wigan . I don't think the wire or huddersfield have much chance,as for the rest, one may hope for miracles . Pehraps cas may shock someone, lets hope it's not us.

Huddersfield would fancy their chances against Leeds if not Wigan/Sts.

I know Hock's a nutter, but if he can make up with McNamara I'd pick him for England for that reason alone - particularly without Sam Burgess. I was very disappointed not to see him play in the WC last year, a genuine beast with the ball.

Wigan have a very structured attack based largely around getting their pacy wingers on the outside shoulder of their opposite number. It's simple, every other coach knows it, but when it's executed well it's very hard to stop. If you drift too early their back row and centres will run angles and cut you to ribbons, drift too late and the likes of Burgess and Charnley will be off into the sunset. Very effective, very well drilled.

As for Hock, huge talent, virtually unplayable on his day. But his ill discipline, frequent rushes of blood and short attention span in defence make him a liability as often as an asset.

He's a gamble. Worth the punt for Salford, probably not for Wigan.

Against superior opposition every time it counts, might well be worth it for England too.

Bowen and Burke return for Wigan.

Ben Austin, John Bateman, Matt Bowen, Joe Burgess, Greg Burke, Dom Crosby, Connor Farrell, Anthony Gelling, Blake Green, Darrell Goulding, Jack Hughes, Dom Manfredi, Michael McIlorum, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Scott Taylor, George Williams

Charnley, Thornley, OLoughlin, Farrell, Flower, Pettybourne, James, Dudson, Clubb, Hampshire, Tierney all missing from that squad.

BJB and Bailey to miss out. Unless they give BJB another week in and rest Briscoe.

Shame that we did not introduce Ward at least this week. Perfect opportunity for it.

Playing for England academy on Friday vs France, correct not to stop that opportunity for him.

Like Stevie Ward?

Correct if it was only going to be a one off though. Didn't realise he was playing Friday.