THE Warrington Wolves side that takes the field against Huddersfield Giants tomorrow could like a little different to the one that turned out at Hull FC on Monday.
With the likes of Jack Hughes, Stefan Ratchford and Gareth Widdop all missing, Daryl Powell has some big decisions to make with regards to replacements.
> Click here to see the Warrington Wolves 21-man squad in full
Here, sports reporter Matt Turner predicts how he thinks The Wire will line up…
ONE of the big decisions facing Daryl Powell going forward has been put off for at least another week.
After an impressive showing in both Easter games at full-back, there was plenty of support for Josh Thewlis getting an extended run in the side in his preferred position.
With Stefan Ratchford not in the squad for tomorrow’s game, however, the number one shirt will be his for at least one more game.
Josh Thewlis looks set to continue at full-back. Picture by SWPix.com
Joining Ratchford on the sidelines is Gareth Widdop, meaning there will be a completely new half-back partnership to the one that turned out in Hull on Monday.
With George Williams seemingly ready to return from injury, it is pretty safe to assume he would slot straight back in – but who partners him?
Riley Dean would appear to be favourite as the only other specialist half-back, but Connor Wrench’s return from a back problem may open up the possibility of Peter Mata’utia slotting into the halves – a position he’s played plenty of times on both sides of the globe.
On this occasion, however, I can forsee Dean getting the nod and a chance to shine.
Could Riley Dean get a chance in the halves? Picture by SWPix.com
Oliver Holmes would appear likely to slot straight into the right edge spot left vacant by skipper Hughes’ dislocated shoulder, while Powell must also decide whether to bring Billy Magoulias back into the starting team.
I think he will, with Jason Clark and Matt Davis set to fight it out for a spot on the bench alongside Joe Philbin, Joe Bullock and Danny Walker.
So with all of that in mind, my predicted Wire team looks like this:
Thewlis; Charnley, Mata’utia, King, Ashton; Dean, Williams; Mulhern, D Clark, Cooper, Holmes, Currie, Magoulias. Subs: Philbin, Bullock, Walker, J Clark
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