Warrington Wolves talking points ahead of London Broncos trip

They will be heavily favoured to do so against a London Broncos side who have lost all four of their games since their against-the-odds promotion back to the top flight, conceding an average of 40 points per game in the process.

However, is the ability to cope with such heavy external expectation going to be the biggest thing we learn about this Wire side in Round Five?

Our Wire reporter Matt Turner assesses five key talking points ahead of the game here...

A test of whether attitudes have changed

Let’s be clear – Warrington Wolves are expected to win this game and win it comfortably.

Indeed, there will be the usual noises of anything less being a disappointment from the outside but internally, all the noise has been about a pointed focus.

To that end, Josh Thewlis spoke about them not going out there to chase points on Sunday, instead looking to stick to their processes and build their game naturally, thereby paying London Broncos the respect any Super League-level opponent should be due regardless of their perceived ability.

Of course, that is naturally what players and coaches would say ahead of a game in which they are heavily favoured but this is a real test of whether or not attitudes and mindsets have really changed under Sam Burgess.

Too often in these types of games, Wire have laboured unconvincingly – there were even elements of that against a severely depleted Hull FC side earlier this season – but it is imperative they adopt as professional an approach as they can.

If they do, the result should take care of itself.

Wire will start as overwhelming favourites for victory against London (Image: SWPix.com)

Will absences force a change of style?

With all of the above being said, it may well be a patched-up Wire side that takes the field in the capital.

Both of their first-choice half-backs are unavailable and with Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Matty Nicholson also missing, that is at least four certain starters absent and there is the potential for a few more – Burgess hinted a couple of players were in doubt due to family matters off the field.

With that in mind, one wonders whether Warrington will adopt a more functional and direct approach to this game with the aim of simply coming home with the two points no matter how it looks.

The middle channel is an area in which they should have a clear advantage (more on that shortly) so could they just opt to pile through the front door and let the likes of Matt Dufty make merry off the back of it?

George Williams will miss the trip to London having aggravated his ankle injury at Hull KR last week (Image: SWPix.com)

Middle unit to prove key?

As mentioned above, an area in which Wire should have a big advantage is through the middle.

There are absences elsewhere but their prop stocks remain at full strength and are now refreshed by the returning Joe Bullock.

He could provide a third power option off the bench alongside Zane Musgrove and Joe Philbin, who will aim to back up the undoubtedly solid platform starters Paul Vaughan and James Harrison will lay.

Defending champions Wigan Warriors struggled to shake London free last week but when they stuck to the middle of the field, they started to pull away and eventually cantered to a dominant victory.

To that end, that will surely be Wire’s key to success especially with their brains trust hindered by injury.

Paul Vaughan will have a key role to play for Wire once again (Image: PA)

A big hole to fill on the left edge

Lachlan Fitzgibbon’s absence is a bitter blow for Wire given the impressive way in which he has started his first season at the club.

As he takes some understandable time back at home in Australia due to a family bereavement, it leaves Burgess with a quandary as to how to fill the sizeable left-edge hole he leaves.

The left has been Wire’s strike edge this year and the precise lead lines Fitzgibbon runs have been a massive part of that.

Matty Nicholson has been named in the 21 despite not being expected back until next week at the earliest so if he's good to go, a like-for-like swap would reduce the need for adjustment elsewhere.

Another solution would be moving Ben Currie back over to the position he has spent much of the past decade in, but Burgess hinted at his press conference that Currie would remain in the loose forward role he has impressed in regardless of Fitzgibbon’s absence.

As such, how that back-row spot is filled is certainly interesting.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon will miss Sunday's game having returned to Australia due to a family bereavement (Image: Mike Boden)

Something new at last

If nothing else, the trip to the capital provides Warrington and their fans with a new venue to visit.

They have been in short supply, with Toulouse’s Stade Ernest Wallon the only first-time visit in recent memory.

The stylish, modern home ground London Broncos share with football club AFC Wimbledon is a fine new stage for Super League, and it could entice Wire fans to head to the capital in numbers this weekend.

Having said that, some may be keeping their powder dry for the second visit in August in theoretically better and warmer weather.

Wire will make their first ever trip to the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Sunday (Image: SWPix.com)