It is brilliant news that Moose is fit. I had been concerned that we would never see him play for us again. If we get him back near his best he will be a brilliant player for us.
Equally, I always hold my breath about Lockers - will he, won't he?
I think any of Bateman, Joel or Josh can do a good enough job on their day in the centres. Joel would be my third choice of those 3.

Bateman did well at centre at Saints game on good friday but apart from that I dont see him pass the ball much.

If Sarge is injured for first game centres should be Charnley and Gelling with Burgess and Manfredi on the wings.

I'd also prefer us to use Charnley at centre rather than Joel, who looks too easily wrong-footed IMO. Having said that it's evidently not going to happen given the way we lined up for both friendlies

Against Widnes we need our most experienced pack out there that we can put on the field.
Props, I'd go with Crosby and Clubb to start , Mossop, Tautai & Patrick off the bench. Mic Mac to start. Bateman to left centre as Joel's size is needed in the back row.
In the past we have sent out a weakened team at Widnes, losing twice with the one win.
It's a blow when two of our three first team centres are injured, we have to get on with it though!
I don't want Manfredi on the wing as Brown will bomb all night, same with Hampshire at full back.
If we are to get off to a good start in the season this has to be a must win.
It is very winnable provided we put out the best 17 available.

I would like to see gildart given a chance. If he isn't going to get a chance when two first team centres are out injured when is he?

Gildart is two years younger than Hampshire, Williams, Tierney so it's a bit early to be saying that. He is also part of the first set of lads to be in the Under 19s without being able to play Under 18s first to build up to Under 20s, so some can look further ahead in progress than they perhaps are. Maybe 12 months time is more realistic for him.

I'd have said throw Gildart in before Leigh but he really struggled defensively in that game. He's a top young player and I'm sure he'll go on to become one of the best centres in superleague but it's very early days. If look to get him some games this year but I think I'd wait for a cup tie against lower league opposition or a team struggling in superleague before throwing him in.

I'd go Bateman or Burgess but it will be Tomkins.

Didnt Tony Clubb play for England as a centre? Could he step in if required?

Any team news for Sunday? or any ideas who will be up?

No Lockers, Mossop or Tautai tomorrow. Just seen the squad on the Wigan site. All kids really apart from the odd exception like Sam Powell.

It would be a big ask to throw experienced lads in on what must be a heavy pitch then expect them to back up Thursday night. I just hope those three I mention not playing hasn't ruled them out at Widnes. I'm not too fussed about Mossop as he must be incredibly rusty anyway but Tautai and Lockers are much needed.

So based on that i would expect that Mossop wont play, lockers possibly and Tautai must be 50-50 bet.

Looks like joel to centres but the big quetion is batemen fit as connah farrell didnt play yesterday.

If bateman fit he will play 2nd row with Faz and patrick on the bench or patrick to 2nd row if bateman injured and young faz on the bench.