HERE'S some background to the Warrington Wolves 18-man squad announced for the St Helens fixture at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday.
1. Riley Dean
Named in Steve Price's match-day squad for the first time, and would be making his Super League debut if selected.
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A bright future is anticipated for the Academy stand-off, who is a potential replacement for Blake Austin or Dec Patton against Saints.
Dean, who turns 18 on Saturday, can also play full-back.
The six-footer played his junior rugby at Siddal, Halifax, and is also a competent goal-kicker.
2. Josh Thewlis
Another of The Wire's highly rated teenagers, who made his Super League debut at full-back against Catalans Dragons on June 8 this year.
Fans were impressed with what he offered on his maiden appearance against tough opponents, getting the call due to Stefan Ratchford's injury and Jake Mamo's unavailability.
The 17-year-old came through the ranks at Wateread Warriors.
3. Luther Burrell
High-profile signing from rugby union, who has played just one game off the bench in primrose and blue so far.
An England international in the 15-man game, Burrell, a centre or winger signed from Northampton, was given 20 minutes on the field in the win against London Broncos on July 6.
A couple of big hits and strong drives gave a glimpse of what this man-mountain is capable of but he is on a learning curve having not played rugby league since his university days about 10 years ago.
Selection on Thursday would be his first at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
4. Louis Johnson
Showed good form on his recent loan spell with Hull KR under former Wire boss Tony Smith.
Ex-England Academy international Johnson, a second rower or prop, arrived at Warrington from Castleford for a fee at the end of 2017.
Gave a good account of himself on his only previous Super League outing, off the bench in a loss at Wigan 11 months ago.
5. Pat Moran
Ashton-based prop who made his Super League debut for The Wire in the home loss to Salford last month as a replacement for Mike Cooper, who suffered an injury in the warm-up.
The 21-year-old hit into good form recently while on loan at Sheffield Eagles.
Wolves 18-man squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Luther Burrell, Ben Currie, Matt Davis, Riley Dean, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Luis Johnson, Toby King, Harvey Livett, Jake Mamo, Pat Moran, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Stefan Ratchford, Lama Tasi, Josh Thewlis, Danny Walker, Ben Westwood
The team could look something like this on Thursday:
1. Ratchford/Thewlis/Mamo
2. Mamo/Burrell/Thewlis/
3. King/Burrell
4. Goodwin
5. Burrell/Thewlis
6. Ratchford/Dean/Livett
7. Smith/Dean
8. Hill
9. Walker
10. Tasi/Westwood/Moran/Akauola
11. Murdoch-Masila/Livett/Westwood/Johnson/King
12. Currie
13. Davis/Livett/Wetwood/Murdoch-Masila/Tasi/Akauola
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