I noticed Bilko hasn't done a match preview this week so here are a large number of words arranged in various different combinations to form relatively understandable sentences, written a couple of days ago. Not of the same quality or depth as Bilko's but beggars can't be choosers.

rlhttps://www.superleaguefans.com/wigan-warriors/2011/03/23/wigan-v-warrington-preview.htmlrl

This Friday sees a huge game in the Super League season as current champions Wigan take on league leaders Warrington. This game has all the makings of a top quality encounter; billed as a ‘Battle of the Champions’, last seasons Super League winners take on the Challenge Cup holders at the DW Stadium. The two title favourites battle it out for the first time this season. First place takes on second; the strongest defence in the league hosts the deadliest attack.

This fixture provided plenty of drama last season as both games were tense, close fought affairs with plenty of excitement. Wigan won a nail biting game 22 points to 20 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium after David Solomona knocked on over the try line to deny Warrington a match winner in the last few minutes. Warrington then got their revenge in the reverse fixture by winning 23-16 at the DW Stadium in a game which will give Wire fans plenty of confidence ahead of this Friday’s game.

Warrington go into the game on the back of a mauling of Quins, who had previously claimed the scalps of both Saints and Leeds. It highlighted a ruthless attacking mentality instilled in the team by coach Tony Smith. After a first game blip against Huddersfield, when Warrington were hampered by injuries throughout the game, they have been in excellent form which has seen them climb to the top of the table.

Meanwhile Wigan are currently the only side to remain unbeaten so far this year. Starting the season with a draw against fiercest rivals St Helens may have seemed like a point dropped rather than a point gained, but since then they’ve been victorious in every Super League game. Defeat in the World Club Challenge could have resulted in a hangover effect; narrow wins against Salford and Hull will have concerned some Wigan fans, but the excellent away win at Huddersfield last Friday should have allayed any fears from the Wigan faithful.

It isn’t clear which side will have had the best preparation for Friday, with Wigan being provided with a tough test but one that could have been physically draining, whilst the Warrington players won’t have used up too much energy when hammering the Quins but may have preferred a sterner test ahead of meeting the current champions.

Both sides are strong in the backline but will be missing key players. New signings Brett Hodgson and Joel Monaghan have given Warrington arguably the strongest set of outside backs in the competition but they will be without Matt King and Ryan Atkins.

Their absence has given an opportunity to young centre Rhys Evans who is really starting to make a name for himself. The 18 year old with the bright blonde locks was always likely to catch the eye but he’s quickly proving that he already has the ability to make a name for himself in Super League.

Wigan also have an outstanding teenage talent in the shape of Josh Charnley. The 19 year old had a short spell on loan at Hull KR last year and it was a matter of if, not when, the winger or centre from Chorley would make his mark this season. Having already bagged four tries in four games and 3 try assists he’s been in excellent form, helping to fill the void created by injury to Pat Richards.

A crucial battle will be between the two fullbacks. Brett Hodgson has over a decades worth of experience and is regarded by many as the best fullback in the competition. His ability to join the attacking line and play like an extra halfback means Warrington now pose an even stronger attacking threat on the flanks. His opposite number will be Sam Tomkins, the current Young Player of the Year who returns after a 1 match suspension. He has been a revelation since switching to fullback from the more familiar stand off role and is a devastating attacking force when joining the attacking line. Unlike Hodgson, whose primary skill is his passing, Tomkins likes to run with the ball and take defenders on. Both of these players are potential match winners.

Wigan look set to give a debut to new signing Brett Finch who has missed the start of the season due to a neck injury. If the 29 year old is fit enough to start he is likely to partner Thomas Leuluai in the halves, taking up the role occupied by Paul Deacon before he was ruled out through injury. It is hoped that Finch will be able to provide a cutting edge to Wigan’s kicking game which will have been an area of concern for Michael Maguire this season.

Warrington’s main threat will be from Lee Briers, who has been such an essential part of the team for so long that his name is written on the team sheet in permanent marker. He’s the man who will organise the attacking line and create opportunities whilst using his pinpoint kicking game to put Wigan under pressure. With his astute ability to intercept long range passes he poses a rare attacking threat in the defensive line. Richie Myler also isn’t to be underestimated. His main asset is his support play which is second to none, but he also has all the attributes that a scrum half needs and will always be capable of causing problems.

Despite the strength in the backs, it’s in the forwards where this game will really be won or lost. Wolves tend to hunt in packs and Warrington are no different, boasting the formidable presence of Adrian Morley in the front row, joined by Garreth Carvell and the in form Paul Wood. The sheer size of the Warrington forwards is enough to trouble a good side, but add to that the talents they have, with Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison and David Solomona all excellent ball players in the back row it makes it near impossible to dominate them. Westwood in particular has been in excellent form for a number of years and provided the final try in this fixture last season. After being included in the Super League Dream Team last year he was also one of the few England players to catch the eye in the Four Nations down under. In David Solomona Warrington have probably the best offloader in the competition.

Wigan, on the other hand, will look to the likes of Ryan Hoffman, Harrison Hansen and Sean O’Loughlin to contain their powerful opposition throughout the game. Hoffman has fit seamlessly into the Wigan side since arriving from Melbourne. His work rate has been important but so too have his offloads and physical presence. He already has three tries this season and will be hungry for more. Whilst Harrison Hansen is primarily a defensive force who plays the game simply but effectively, he also has three tries to his name proving Wigan don’t just rely on their backs to score the points.

Captain Sean O’Loughlin has been a key man for Wigan due to his impressive playmaking ability which accompanies his defensive physicality. He was part of Wigan’s most dangerous attacking trio along with Sam Tomkins and Paul Deacon last season and he’s producing more of the same this year. His pinpoint cut-out passes have created several tries in the last few games and this ball playing ability in the pack will be a real threat to Warrington, but Lee Briers will be looking to take advantage of any pass that doesn’t hit the mark.

Then we come to what I anticipate will be the most crucial position on the field on Friday night. The role of a hooker in modern day rugby is relatively undefined now that there is no need for ‘hooking’ in the scrum. These days rugby league hookers come in various shapes and sizes and bring different attributes to the game. Michael Monaghan and Mike McIlorum have contrasting styles at dummy half but both will play a vital part in any success that their team has.

At number 9 Michael Monaghan provides the skills of a halfback. He has good hands but is also quick and elusive and capable of catching out any player that is slow getting back into the defensive line. He will bring the forwards into the game, dictate the speed of the play and scythe through the defence when the opportunity presents itself. There could be a potential weakness in the Wigan side when defending on their goal line. On several occasions this season they have been caught out by players burrowing over from dummy half and this is where Monaghan could get on the scoresheet.

McIlorum is likely to be less noticeable in attack. The Wigan hooker tends to do the simple things well, laying the ball off to the forwards and allowing the halfbacks to create and dictate the play. He will take the line on when he spots an opportunity but the real outstanding aspect of his game is his defence. He embodies everything that the current Wigan side stands for. The stats show that he’s Wigan’s top tackler this year, averaging around 40 tackles per match. There are no stats to show just how fierce he is in the tackle, or how much a hit from McIlorum can take out of a player, but he’s an important part of Wigan’s excellent defence and will be determined to stop Warrington’s powerful attack dead in its tracks.

With some real quality on show, a fierce rivalry which seems to be growing stronger due to huge improvements from both of these sides, and also what looks like being a packed out DW Stadium, this game should be an excellent advert for rugby league and is one not to be missed.


Some stats and facts can be found here - rlhttps://www.wiganwarriorsfans.com/wigan/?s

Great stuff thank you. Nicely written as well.