THE 21-man squad named by Sam Burgess for Warrington Wolves’ clash with Catalans Dragons suggests there will be minimal changes to the final team.
However, there remains scope for a couple of alterations – so could he be thinking of more tweaks to his side?
We assess some of the things he may be pondering and predict the final Wire team for Round 16 here…
The obvious change
Sam Burgess confirmed this would be happening – and it may well be the only alteration to last week’s team.
It is an enforced change with Toafofoa Sipley becoming The Wire’s latest injury concern after limping out of the defeat to Leeds Rhinos with an ankle problem.
The solution was a simple one – Max Wood was recalled from his loan spell at Hull FC after two games and he looks set to take Sipley’s role on the bench.
The young prop is clearly a fan favourite, with supporters having been vocal in their calls for the 21-year-old to be given more game time.
He has seen his fellow youngster Luke Thomas establish himself within the 17, so can he now take the chance to do the same?
A tweak to the pack?
Since returning from ankle surgery, James Harrison has been starting in the second row with the idea of him moving to the middle when Kelepi Tanginoa comes from the bench.
Given the weather forecast for Thursday, however, one wonders if Burgess may be considering a swap – could Tanginoa start, with Harrison on the bench?
With temperatures expected to be in the high-20s or perhaps even the early-30s, middle-unit rotation is going to be key and with Sipley now missing along with Joe Philbin, having Harrison’s extra size among the substitutes could be an option.
Time to unleash Holroyd?
This one feels unlikely, but Adam Holroyd is technically available again having been named in the 21-man squad for the third game in a row.
Burgess insisted earlier in the week that the plan remained for the back-rower to get his first action of a season wrecked by complications from pre-season shoulder surgery in the Reserves’ clash with Castleford Tigers on Friday evening.
With numbers light in the forwards, however, could he be tempted to change course as he did with Arron Lindop, who was thrown straight back into the first team following his ACL injury last week?
Our predicted Warrington Wolves team to face Catalans Dragons
Josh Thewlis; Albert Hopoate, Josh Smith, Arron Lindop, Matty Ashton; Ewan Irwin, Leon Hayes, Luke Thomas, Danny Walker, Liam Byrne, James Bentley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Ben Currie. Subs: Sam Powell, James Harrison, Jordy Crowther, Max Wood
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