I think Wigan are dubious about starting Smith at hooker due to a lack of physicality and I fully back that. These games are going to start at a good pace and teams will really be going at it in the forwards so to keep him out of the fire for 20-25 mins makes perfect sense.

He can then come on when bodies are tiring and hopefully start to probe around that middle area and get the opposition turning with his kicking game.

Spot on.

Leuluai and Finch control the team, so don't interfere with that.

I agree about the physical part but flip that round how many games have been won and lost in the first 20 this season?

That against Catalan was training ground stuff lockers had all the time in the world to get the ball out to the half backs when you are playing teams like Wire,Saints and Leeds it's not going to cut Finch or Tommy would have near 0 options cause they are getting shut down and any coach knows this and will play on it

We have let Leeds and Wire get away this season in the first 20 and lost both and these 2 are the most likely options we will have come sat night

I'd stick with Lockers at 9 I was surprised at just how good he did at 9 Vs Catalan. Although I shouldn't have expected anything less, he's such a classy player. He wasn't just looking to distribute the ball straight away all the time, at times he would take the ball 3-4 yards before releasing to the hb's, thus taking the markers out of the game and he made good yards whenever he decided to scoot. I think we need the extra forward tackling down the middle early in the game without Micky, otherwise I can see us getting overpowered.

Agree with the above regardless of who we play Lockers has to play 9 for the first 20 or so.

The scoot does not really become effective until players start to fatigue at which point bringing Smith on makes the most sense.

All games at this stage should be physical and more intense than standard league games and that is why MM is such a big miss.

I would agree with Hock in for Hughes and keep the rest of the team as against Catalans. Flower and Dudson both deserve their spots in the 17. The squad is healthy compared to this time last year.

Thats the team for me too.

Hughes deserves his spot too

Tomkins
Charnley Goulding Carmont Richards
Finch Smith
Dudson Tommy Fielden
Hock Hansen
Lockers
----------------------
Faz Hughes Eric/Flower Lima

Mossop to be dropped, under performed lately. Fielden looked keen and eager against Saints. Smith at 7 for his kicking game, Tommy to 9 as Tommy is the best 9 we have available.

Mossop was superb against Catalans

Same team as Catalan only change is Hock for Hughes for me.

Depending how Fielden goes on Sunday for the under 20s I would be inclined to have him in the 17 for the Leeds match (if we pick them). Even though Jamie Peacock was involved and got away with a lot last night against the Catalans, I thought he took the ball up really well and had a very good game.
Peacock and Fielden have played together and against one another many times over the years and I think that it may bring the best out of big Stu to do so again.