3 matches for Smith

Reduced from 6 because it was Bentley

There's so many different directions he could go in but based on what I've seen from Wellens' selections this year I'd take a stab at the following:

Robertson
Makinson
Davies
Blake
Ritson

Bell
Mbye

Lees
Burns
Walmsley
Sironen
Whitley
Paasi

Subs
Matautia
Batchelor
Stephens
Fuck knows, but thinking it will be Vaughan/Royle

Would like him to give roberts his debut instead so bell can play loose forward and I think the side would be overall a little more balanced that way, but it's a big big call to make against you lot at Magic so I'd be pretty surprised. Think he will go Bell for his defensive capabilities or at a push, Davies at half and Whitley/Vaughan at centre

Difficult one really. I’d love to see Robertson at 6 but it would be a mismatch defending against Nsemba. I can see him putting Davies at 6 for his big boot in kicking and he’s a bigger body in defence. Mbye will have to play 7 but then he can’t spell Burns who looks like he’ll struggle with playing 80 mins. Bell can’t spell Burns as he’ll need to play 80 mins at 13 with no Knowles. We really are up against it

My guess would be

Robertson
Makinson
Blake
Whitley
Ritson
Davies
Mbye
Lees
Burns
Paasi
Sironen
Batchelor
Bell

Stephens
Matautia
Walmsley
Vaughan (or a back like Whitby or Roberts- can’t see them being thrown in though)

If thats the team he goes for, the back will probably be Bennison!

Looking at what has been posted for a potential Saints team, i think the packs will be relatively evenly matched, and its on the day who gets on top

From a Wigan perspective, and i know our attack hasnt been flowing but i'd look to get at the Saints backline as there are potential weaknesses there with the players missing. I know it looks like both sides are missing their starting halves, so its who can control the ball better of the 2 makeshift partnerships. Ideally if we can get Wardle / Eckersley (assuming Keighran into 6) i can see us getting a bit of joy v Blake / Ritson / Davies or Whitley

also in a strange way, with the numbers both sides are missing in key positions, it could turn out to be a very competitive game

Our potential 1, 6, 7, 9 options are:

Field
Keighran
Farrimond
Leeming

Eckersley
Field
Farrimond
Leeming

Field
Leeming
Farrimond
Forber

Option 3 is the only one that doesn't have Eckersley starting.

Impossible to call.

A bigger game for Saints, than ourselves. We could do with a win, but not season defining.

Our priority has to be playing well for the last few games of the regular season and build into the play offs with energy. We've seen over the last 12-18 months, few sides are better than us when we've got this.

It's interesting if you go back over our recent SL wins (2013, 2016, 2018 and 2023), we seem to hit our roughest patch in July and August of those seasons. It's almost as if the performance team know when to peak at the right time. The issue this year, we've had 3 peaks to do! 2 down, 1 to go in October. (Note: I am not saying we deliberately throw games in this period before anyone says!)

NB I think Forber will start on Saturday....

I understand your point re the injuries and we're pretty lucky you've racked up those injuries as I would be very fearful this Saturday, if we were to face a near-full strength Saints. However, we saw last week when a patched up Leeds side put us to the sword. Sometimes it's the team who wants the win more, and has more in the tank. We'll also be missing our 6,7,9,11.

My view is that you need the win more than us, as you say, you won't finish top 3; we most likely are nailed on to, barring a disaster. If you lose Saturday, you could finish the weekend only 2 points ahead of seventh, with KR at home, Wire away and Leigh away to come.

Yes and with our injuries that may well be another 3 defeats however that's also saying Leigh and Leeds continue to win. We also have Cas at H and Hudds A so that could be two wins

Also certainly by Leigh we may well be back to normal (ish) barring any more injuries. Certainly Clark and Dodd will be back and that is the game earmarked for Welsby. Plus Lomax and Knowles back so suddenly we look more healthy (again if we don't pick up any more)

FWIW, irrespective of Saturday's result, you should make the 6 with room to spare. I think for both Wigan and Saints it's about getting players back fit and having energy in the tank come the playoffs.

I do feel, particularly this week, fans of other clubs and the media are starting to sleep on both Wigan and Saints. I certainly wouldn't back against a Wigan Saints final. Fit and firing, both sides can play at an intensity that others in the league can't.

Also not sure a "patched up" Leeds side is the right term. Plus they were at home, new coach syndrome etc

Not missing 9 players from a 21 man squad like we are on Saturday