more likely to see if we can get a fee if he moves on

Pretty sure he got a 1 year extension triggered so his contract will be up at the end of the season so that makes no sense.

Balmforth picked up a knock and sadly hasn’t shaken it off. Just unlucky but smith made a point of saying we’re actively looking for a friendly to get him some game time.

If fit Balmforth would 100% be playing this weekend I reckon. What shocks me is that Staveley can’t seem to get any minutes.

I remember, last year at home he came off the bench at the end of the game against cas I think. In the 15 minutes he got he made more metres and had a better impact than lane did all game. The next week he was out of the team.

Wigan pretty much at full strength less Miski.

It'll be a good test of where we are.

Be interesting to see if Pele and Ese'ese can stand up to that Wigan pack

Smith extended Balmforth's contract and was then one of tbe players he singled out for praise after the Donny game. Im sure he does rate him. But if his shoulder is not quite right then no point taking risks before the season has even started.

As for the wing spot. Scott would do a job if asked, and if nothing else he is a big strong guy to do the hard yards in the exit sets. But he definitely doesn't have the pace to be a food winger. Litten would also be a safe choice, but again its not his position. I hope he picks Martin. He has some genuine x factor about him, even if he is still raw.

Agree with everything here. Wigans squad is unbelievable. Itll be good to benchmark us against the best in the comp. Hopefully the result is close. And hopefully it’s a sell out for tag

Severs gone on loan to York, hopefully he'll get some regular game time

Its the pace in their team that bothers me

It's gonna bother a lot. They do look very good

Wigan will do what Saints have done recently. If they keep that team together can see them going back to back, if not a 3peat

Are FC offering a streaming service for Sunday? Wigan are streaming it live via Wigan TV

Can see Burgess booking his flight back to Bondi soon

No Tuimavave or Sao today. Balmforth on the bench, though.