www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news Powell and Spencer to miss out?

www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news Powell and Spencer to miss out?

You'd expect so but i'd rather one of the forwards from the bench miss out and play Powell.

Tuson and Spencer to miss out for me.

Could see Spencer and either Farrell/Tuson missing out meaning that we have the option of taking off MM with Powell getting game time and TL switching to hooker.

I agree. I'd be very surprised to see Shaun Wane not opt for four forwards on the bench. Huddersfield are depleted in the forwards through injuries, so it's an obvious tactic to try and bully them in the middle. Wane has confirmed that Flower and Eric Lauaki will both play. He also praised Chris Tuson after the Salford match, saying he put in an 'outstanding' performance, so I highly doubt that Wane will back track on his ethos of picking the most in form players after one week.

However like you've said I would play Powell on the bench. I think we have enough muscle in the forwards with just three forwards on the bench to beat Huddersfield. With ten substitutes, our forwards should be looking for more game time. Just having Sam Powell on the bench gives us an extra option - a plan B - should we need to change anything during the game. Moving Leuluai to hooker is the obvious idea here. Plus with Leuluai leaving next season and Finch OOC, players like Sam Powell and Joe Mellor must get some game time this season.

The team though I think Shaun Wane will pick:

Sam Tomkins
Josh Charnley
Darrell Goulding
George Carmont
Pat Richards
Brett Finch
Thomas Leuluai
Epalahame Lauaki
Mike McIlorum
Lee Mossop
Harrison Hansen
Gareth Hock
Sean O'loughlin
---------------------------------
Ben Flower
Chris Tuson
Jeff Lima
Liam Farrell

Can't wait for the new season to kick off! Roll on Sunday!

Spencer and Powell to miss out, withTommy going 9, Lockers going to 6, and Faz to 13 when MM has a rest

I'd leave out Powell and Tuson tbh as Spencer deserves a crack after pre season.

Tomkins
Charnley
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Finch
Leuluai
Lima
McIlorum
Mossop
Hansen
Hock
O'Loughlin

Subs
Lauaki
Spencer
Flower
Farrell

I think the main problem on Sunday is not the team that plays, its the weather.
The lunchtime forecast on Look North is for app 50mm of snow for the Northwest tomorrow afternoon,followed by freezing fog overnight.

Sam Tomkins
Josh Charnley
Darrell Goulding
George Carmont
Pat Richards
Brett Finch
Thomas Leuluai
Epalahame Lauaki
Mike McIlorum
Lee Mossop
Harrison Hansen
Gareth Hock
Sean O'loughlin
---------------------------------
Ben Flower
Chris Tuson
Jeff Lima
Sam Powell

A different perspective.

MM off>Tommy 9>Powell 7

I know its the first game of the season, but I think these are opposition we can afford to experiment against.

You see I disagree with that, as I've wrote in my preview. I'm more, use the experience, get points on the board that builds confidence, then start experimenting. I'm not sure February is the time to do it.

Me too, I would definatley play our best team for the first two games to try put a marker down at the very least. I would maybe give one or two younger lads a chance in March against Salford, Widnes and London.

Im with that! Start with the regulars then as the season goes on bring in new faces.

Wire Briers apart are going tried and tested and arent even going to risk their new lad from Leigh!

Getting a good start is key!

lee mossop still has a problem with his shoulder. maybe spencer will get some game time sooner rather than later.

Wigan by 20+