Where does Matty Nicholson fit into Warrington Wolves' side?

The young back-rower is yet to feature this season having picked up a groin injury during pre-season – he was initially expecting to be fit for the start of the Super League campaign but suffered a setback in the lead-up to Round One.

He was named as 18th man against London Broncos on Sunday, but head coach Sam Burgess revealed he would not have used the forward if his availability was triggered due to him not being ready for action at that point.

However, he did say Nicholson would “more than likely” be able to feature in the rematch with the Broncos in the Challenge Cup this weekend.

And that raises the question of where the 20-year-old – widely regarded as one of Super League’s most talented young players – fits into the side, both this weekend and longer-term…

Nicholson has yet to feature this year due to a groin injury (Image: SWPix.com)

Interchange

For this weekend, perhaps the most straightforward option would be to have him occupy a spot on the interchange bench to manage his minutes and break him back into action gently.

As things currently stand, a straight swap for Tom Whitehead appears a likely option and would mean less shuffling around elsewhere.

Starting back row

This would perhaps depend on Lachlan Fitzgibbon’s availability – the big second-rower has been back in Australia due to a family bereavement and it is currently unclear as to whether or not he will return in time to feature on Saturday.

Even if he is, Burgess may opt to give him extra time to recover from two lengthy bouts of travelling in a short space of time, so Nicholson could slot onto the left edge if he is ready to start.

That would allow Joe Philbin, who moved out to the back row in the absence of Nicholson, Fitzgibbon and Ben Currie on Sunday, to revert to being a middle-unit option.

Of course, Burgess could opt to start him in the right-edge slot he played in for the majority of 2023, but would he do so at the expense of Adam Holroyd?

Loose forward

Nicholson will wear the number 13 shirt this season, indicating he will spend at least some time in the middle.

It was an idea first mooted by former head coach Daryl Powell when Fitzgibbon’s signing was confirmed last year and it seems to have endured beyond his departure and into the Burgess era.

It is an area in which Wire have options – Jordy Crowther has been a solid operator at 13 since his arrival at the back end of last year while Ben Currie impressed in his three appearances at loose before dropping out of the side on Sunday to await the birth of his second child.

Could Burgess use the game as a chance to see what Nicholson can do at loose forward?

If you were the Warrington head coach, how would you solve this dilemma? Cast your votes below