rlhttps://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2015-08-19-options-aplenty/rl

Two second rowers playing centre or a debut? Will be interesting to see which way Wane will go.

Gildart will probably get a game. I wonder if Budgie is actually injured, or simply dropped because he's leaving?

Bowen
Charnley
Bateman
Gildart
Manfredi
Williams
Smith
Flower
McIlorum
Clubb
Tomkins
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Flower
Powell
Patrick
Mossop

I expect Micky Mac won't play, so it'll be Powell at #9 and Hampshire on the bench.

The decision to let Thornley go on loan is looking more and more strange. First choice centres injured and we're left with a backrower and a debutant playing there.

You have Flower twice did you mean Crosby or Sutton.

Injured - No story here
When it happened I posted that originally it was feared it could be a season ending but after the scan it was likely to be 2-3 weeks.
This week is 3 weeks and "At a Push" he could possibly have played but quite rightly in my opinion they're going to wait until week after Wembley to get him 100%.

About time Gildart got a game anyway. If the club rate him enough to offer him a contract, they've got to play him sometime. At least he's got a couple (?) of SL games under his belt now for Salford. He has talent, and is very quick. As I've argued before, defensive security can come later with practice and experience.

Has Gildart's defence improved at Salford? He looked very vulnerable in the games I've seen during pre-season and v Australia Schoolboys. If he's still that way I think it's a bit unfair to throw him onto the deep end to debut against Warrington away in the Super 8s. Could Mango not deputise there with Rocky at FB?

Depends who he's up against. If it's King/Evans then it's a fair test against another young player (I'd still class Evans as a youngster with the amount of rugby he's missed). If it's against Atkins then that's more of a worry. Whilst Atkins is possibly one of the worst wingers centres I've ever seen, he is a big, physical presence and he'll provide a threat.

I don't have confidence going in to many games at the moment and this one is no different.

Atkins is a big unit, certainly. But you've got to start somewhere; he'll only improve by playing at the top level.

Definitely and I'm looking forward to watching how he goes. He's supremely talented and he'll cause them problems.

It's been a shame to see no debuts given this year until now. I don't think that's actually done us any favours. Young guys on debut bring enthusiasm and help the older guys focus and give them an extra reason to lead by example. I believe we've missed a trick with it this year.

Atkins rarely plays right centre and Waney will avoid putting Gildart against him anyway.
Having said that Gildart and Manfredi on the left look defensively vulnerable.

Hope he rests MM and goes with Powell at 9, interchage with Smith meaning Hampshire off the bench to the halves.

I agree but I don't think Wire away is the best game to debut in. Maybe I'm being soft but a game or two aagainst lower opposition to get into the swing of things might have been the way to go. Don't want another Desi Williams/Jack Murphy situation

Yes, it would have been nice to see Gildart get game time a bit earlier in the season. Are there any others who might have debuted?

But we are where we are. And after all, we're not in such a bad position.