No point risking anyone, anyone who isn't 100% should be given the full two weeks off. We all know what happened this time last year! Maybe a good chance to give Tierney and Burgess debuts?

Sean o'loughlin and Sam Tomkins both confirmed definitely out for Friday against widnes and possibly out for england next week. Ben flower out for 8-10 weeks, Mcilorum is having an operation today. Smith, Flower, Farrell and Richards all in doubt.

Wane said he doesn't have any other option but to play the youngsters on Friday.

How do you know? I hope it's not true about Flower we could really do with him for the cup semi

Well done Waney

Kelly O'Donnell and Phil Wilkinson have tweeted it all from the press conference

"Kelly O'Donnell ‏@Kelly_O_Donnell 54m
... Ben Flower has had a scan and could be out for 8-10 weeks. Micky McIlorum is undergoing an operation as we speak"

"Kelly O'Donnell ‏@Kelly_O_Donnell 51m
... Gil Dudson is at least 3 weeks away. Paul Prescott is still months away #Wigan #rugbyleague"

"Kelly O'Donnell ‏@Kelly_O_Donnell 47m
Wane says he has "no choice" but to play a young side against Widnes. Expect Tierney and Hampshire to be handed debuts #Wigan #rugbyleague"

"Phil Wilkinson ‏@PWilkinsonWIG 1h
Flower, McIlorum, Tomkins, Richards, Smith, Oloughlin and Green all doubtful for Friday game at Widnes. Farrell too."

Bugger. Get well soon Ben! If everyone's out I'd expect something like the following:

FB 35 Tierney
RW 2 Charnley
RC 3 Goulding
LC 17 Thornley
LW 34 Burgess
SO 31 Williams
SH 24 Powell
P 26 Crosby
H 23 L.Tomkins
P 10 Mossop
SR 11 Hansen
SR 16 Tuson
LF 29 Burke

S 4 Hughes
S 8 Lauaki
S 21 Taylor
S 32 Hampshire

I really hope Wane doesn't risk anyone who isn't 100%. Even the side above would stand a decent chance against Widnes and ultimately this game counts for very little. Keep everyone fit and prepare for the cup games and play offs

I'm not being funny but Ben Flower out 8-10 weeks sounds pretty friggin' serious to me?? Micky Mac having an operation today??

Interesting timing!

Apart from Ben Flower it looks as though we're trying to hold players back from taking part in the exiles game. You can hardly blame Wane after the injury to Leuluai in last years game. He's paid to look after Wigan and Wigan only.

Probably Wigans five most important players are Tomkins, Richards, Lockers, McIlorum and Green and all five would be involved in the game, if fit.

Do any of you honestly believe that the likes of Tomkins etc would have played on Friday?? they were never going to be playing, just like they weren't last year regardless of wether Wane wanted them to or not.

eh?

Just reading Andys Wilson suggesting on twitter that we're holding them back because we don't want them playing on the I Pitch.

There's no doubt that a defeat would so less damage to us then a season ending injury to one of our big players would.

Maybe the ipitch is one reason.
The other could be that Waney doesn't want them anywhere near this Exiles gig.
The game last year was bad enough but which coach would want any of his players being coached by McNamara and Lowes?
A game to be avoided at all costs.

Was told last year by a player that Sam etc were not being risked by the club on the ipitch and it wasn't wanes decision, semms pretty coincidental that all these major players suddenly have knocks (Micky aside as he is having a very minor knee op that has been planned for a couple of weeks)

I believe it comes down to 1 of 4 things:

1) Wane doesnt want to risk players on the iPitch

2) Wane doesnt want players playing in the Eng v Exiles game after last years

3) Wane wants to prove that what he did last year was the right choice.

4) there are actually this many injuries.

I would put them in that order of most to least likely. Call me a cynic.