Agree to a point, but once everyone is fit, I'd like to see;

Zak
Manfredi
Bibby
Gildart
French

That's my first choice side as French is a better winger than Marshall.

The motivation to be the England #1 seems to be driving Zak to new heights. I also think that last week, French showed what he can offer on the wing. There are very few wingers in SL that could have skinned the FB and collected the kick like he did. He has his limitations, but that's his spot for me.

Don't think we can change the backline next week, if we put French to fullback it's either bring back Hanley on the wing or risk Manfredi who hasn't played in god knows how long.
Too much of a gamble for a knockout match.

If we ever have an injury-free period where we have the luxury of those five all available, plus Marshall, I shall be pleasantly surprised.

Just been talking to my eldest lad and we both agree re Byrne &Shorrocks

I’m a big Byrne fan but haven’t really rated Shorrocks that much but the last few games he’s not looked out of place and he’s a tough little so and so.
If he was a stone bigger he could be a top class prospect.

Hastings different class to everyone else on the pitch

It's really only one return off happening.

Once Manfredi is back, Lam will be looking to move Faz or Isa back into the pack. That means either Zak or Bibby will move into the centre position.

Let's not sugar coat this, the club need to be really careful here. Not only has Zak been very vocal about what his motivation is, he's been in excellent form too. French on the other hand is on a 12 month deal and has a mid season break in his contact. Are we going to move an inform and motivated player for one that, in a few weeks, is going back home for a bit? Outside of that Bibby (a player I rate) is OOC this year and again, with a long term hat on, giving him the backing to play centre won't do any harm on the renegotiation side of things.

He actually has it in his contract to go home, mid season?

I expected a tough game and Hull gave us one.

Both teams obviously had a few players missing so I’d like to think that if both teams were at full strength then a good contest would have been even better.

Really pleased that Hull are looking improved on recent seasons. Their scramble defence tonight was fantastic
A good Hull team is a great boost for the game. Always a great atmosphere when Hull bring a lot of fans on their trips to Wigan.

I’m pretty certain that next week’s game will be even tougher and hopefully a great game for terrestrial tv
Could be a classic CC tie.

Byrne really put himself about in the second half. He had a good running battle with Ligi Sao, the two of them landed some crunching hits on each other.

It was a very good game imo. Lacked a bit of quality and composure at times, but more than made up for it in sheer speed a physicality. I bet a few guys will wake up tomorrow morning and think my god do I really have to do that again next week?!

Sounds like Reynolds will play next week which should bring us a bit more attacking nous and decision making that we just didn't get from McNamara. Hopefully round 2 is as good as this one was.

Savelio claims on twitter that he was called a "stupid polynesian c***"

Connor head high tackle and he is sin binned. Farrell does the same and is only penalised.
Hull warned for offside at successive plays and a penalty. Wigan warned for markers not square at successive plays and only six again.
Child gave six again to Wigan on a couple of occasions only after Wigan players exaggeratedly complained.
Wigan consistently - and I’m not just talking about this game - move off the mark when playing the ball and the referee penalises the defending side for pushing them back.
Even the commentators referred to how offside Wigan were at the end but no action by the referee
More than any other team Wigan have learnt how to play referees.
Overall a good performance from Hull considering the above.

IMO, I think tonight’s highlighted why we need French at Fullback as soon as he’s up to speed. Zak is a good fullback but doesn't have that killer pass in him or that “xfactor” french has close to the line.With a strong attacking fullback tonight I think we’d of posted more points when we were close to their line. Yes Zak’s been in great form, but what he’s been at good for us this year has been mainly his work ethic and the yards he makes which easily could easily be done at centre.

Two pretty evenly matched teams in my opinion and you will for sure be better for the inclusion of Reynolds.

I genuinely think that there won’t be more than 6 points between the teams next week and I’m hoping for a bit of a CC classic with hopefully Wigan snatching the spoils.

Thought you’re lads put up a great defence tonight in an even contest. Just wish we all could have been there to watch it in the flesh so to speak.

What tonight’s game highlighted is that French isn’t a Winger and is very suspect when it comes to the high Ball

What about two Hull tries from incorrect knock on decisions? Not a chance in hell that Bevan knocked on, or Powell stripped it either.

Is the Farrell tackle you mention the one on Fonua that we kicked the penalty from? Can't compare the two mate. Connor's was a solid shot in the mush, Farrell's was a lazy grab that started on the shoulder.

I did think Wigan probably got the rub, a few soft 6 agains and I thought there were a couple of knock ons near the end that should have been given in our favour. But you are just coming across as bitter tbh. Wigan were just about the better team and deserved the win. Hopefully we'll get them next week.