Warrington Wolves front-row options after Paul Vaughan ban

Having opted to contest the Match Review Panel’s decision to issue the prop with a three-match penalty notice following his red card against Leigh Leopards on Friday night, their case was dismissed by the Operational Rules Tribunal on Tuesday night.

As such, the Australian will sit out St Helens’ visit to The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday as well as the trip to Huddersfield Giants and the hosting of London Broncos that will follow, but he will be available – and well-rested – for when the play-offs begin.

Now, Sam Burgess’ thoughts will turn to how the sizeable hole Vaughan leaves in the side should be filled in the immediate future.

Here are some of the options in terms of who could come in for the clash with Saints…

JAMES HARRISON

This would appear the most straightforward and logical option, with one front-line prop coming on for another.

Harrison missed out on the Leigh defeat with what Burgess described as a “lower leg injury,” although he also insisted the issue was not serious.

If his absence was indeed through an abundance of caution and he is ready to go, simply slotting him back into the front row alongside Luke Yates would cause the least amount of disruption to the side.

James Harrison missed the Leigh defeat with a lower leg injury (Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)

MATTY NICHOLSON

It is currently unclear as to why Nicholson was left out of the side at Leigh Sports Village, with no injury reported either pre or post-match for the Canberra Raiders-bound 21-year-old.

Should he be brought back in, it could be that he resumes his regular right edge second row role, with John Bateman then moving to become a middle-unit option either from the start or from the bench.

It seems abundantly clear that Bateman will be in the Warrington 17 when available and now Lachlan Fitzgibbon is fit again, Burgess’ options in the back row are stacked.

It is currently unclear why Matty Nicholson missed the loss to Leigh (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)

ADAM HOLROYD

The above could also be applied to Holroyd, who has arguably been the one to lose out the most following Bateman’s short-term arrival.

The academy graduate has enjoyed a breakthrough year and has featured in 20 of Warrington’s 24 Super League games – much more than perhaps either he or the club had planned.

However, he has not featured since the victory at London Broncos last month – he was 18th man in wins over Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers since then but was not involved at all against Leigh.

Having established himself as a regular this year, Adam Holroyd hasn't featured in Warrington's past three games (Image: SWPix.com)

TOM WHITEHEAD

This may be more of an option beyond this week, but Burgess may use Vaughan’s absence to give Whitehead the opportunity for more minutes.

He was 18th man at Leigh – a role he has performed six times in Super League this season – and has made got onto the field six times this year.

Should their finishing position be firmed up beyond Saturday, there could be more scope for squad rotation and hence Whitehead could get his opportunity.

Tom Whitehead was Wire's 18th man for the sixth time this year at Leigh on Friday (Image: SWPix.com)