Lomax and Wheeler will play in the halves.

Big ask for us with 3 of the pack out (Perry, Clough, Flannery) and 2 inexperienced halves, but in no way mission impossible.

Beltin'. He's gonna be sore from it at least.

Let's get him bounced in that first thirty minutes!!!!!

I agree with this. McM doesn't lead us around the park, we never have a quick play of the ball and never play off the front foot. We're lacking speed around the play of the ball, this for me is a major area of concern, teams like Wire and Saints use a quick play of the ball to start their attack at pace, from here they are quick and very effective, we simply don't have that when McM is at 9.

Davies does look poor, there is this natural expectation that all of our young lads will make it in our first team, I don't think Davies will, same goes for O'Carroll.

I'm looking forward to seeing Logan in action at some point this season. See if we can get Logan and Tommy on the interchange having two 9's who can get us moving.
Personally I would like to see Goulding dropped in favour of Richards, Charnley and even Marsh on the wing. All better players. I would also like to see Faz put higher in the pecking order than Hansen, much better player.

Our missing players currently: Pryce, Eastmond, Perry, Flannery, Clough, Gaskell.

So we are likely to line up something like this:

1. Wellens
2. Gardner
3. Shenton
5. Meli
22. Foster

17. Wheeler
20. Lomax

10. Graham
9. Roby
15. LMS
4. Soliola
12. Wilkin
11. Puletua

14. Moore
21. Magennis
18. Ashurst
28. Makinson

What worries me is our bench. With Flannery, Perry and Clough all out our bench is particularly weak. If you can control Roby and Lomax, without a doubt you will win. They're doing pretty much all the play making, but Wheeler could also be dangerous now he's back in the halves. I'm confident that our forwards could beat yours upfront but not so sure if our backs will break yours down, especially if Carmont and Joel Tomkins (will he be playing centre) are on form.

I think the outcome will come down to who gets the better out of the two packs though. Our backs can only perform off good go forward and field position obviously. I did think that about the Saints bench for forwards but I don't think ours are strong either. Don't get me wrong I' sure lima will come good for us but as mentioned earlier I think he would play second row if our props were stronger. I like Mossop, hes a big bonus coming off the bench but the likes of Tuson and Farrell are again small so our front row replacements are limited to 3 smaller forwards and a Mossop whos playing his first season at prop (albeit very strongly so far). Our hooker has been an issue many a time this season with no Piggy. I agree Wheeler could be dangerous as hes very underrated in my opinion. All I know is it should be a fascinating game.

I don't think a derby match has been so unpredictable beforehand for a while now. I do rate Liam Farrell though from what I've seen, looks like he runs some good angles and has the ability to break the line. With the DW well on it's way to being sold out the atmosphere should be electric too, I really cant wait.

True that.

I think if Wigan go toe to toe with Saints for the first 20. Then we can start to apply the points leading up to half time.

In the pack is were saints strength is at the moment. However i disagree with you regarding the size difference. Also Lima is an out and out prop IMO and it would be ludicrous to play him in the SR.

Size wise ... ( Note i'm talking size not talent or whos best. )

Coley - Graham
Lima - LMS
Prescott - Puletua
Hoffman - Soliola
Hansen > Ashurst
Lockers > Wilkin
Mossop > Magennis
Farrell

You have to remember this is the same Saints pack from Millenium Magic without Clough who does alot of work within their pack. In that game our pack was on top for 60 mins and looked comfortable.

Saints pack is pretty formidable but nothing that our pack shouldnt be able to contend with. For me Saints biggest weapon by far is james Roby who's in great form. So for me one of the biggest emphasists this week in training should have been working hard from marker to help minimise Roby's influence on the game.

You must have watched a different game to me, because the game I watched we dominated territory but were clueless ball in hand and couldn't make it count. Most of that game was played in the Wigan half.

I had a few beers that day though . . .

So yes, you're pack is statistically 'bigger' but I would say our pack carries a bit more impact whereas yours is more solid in defence.

And in all honesty, saying that Prescott is the same size as Puletua is a bit daft .

TBH i thought Prescott would be as big as Puletua because hes a huge lad when your next to him and i would of thought he'd be our biggest forward, obviously i'm wrong though. Even so you've just proved my point i was talking about size wise only so 725kg - 719kg. Also proves my point regarding Lima he'll be the second heaviest player out there, he's a prop full stop for me.





Like i said i was talking size wise only. Although yes i do agree with you.

That was the same match I watched!