Warrington Wolves predicted team vs Leigh at Magic Weekend

After Josh Thewlis, Arron Lindop and Jordy Crowther joined The Wire’s injury list, there are holes to fill at full-back, centre and on the bench for the clash with Leigh Leopards at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Some decisions appear more straightforward, but others are less clear cut…

Here, we look at the things Sam Burgess will be pondering before choosing our predicted team for the game…

Is it time for Marc Sneyd?

Burgess hinted recently that he would soon be calling upon his veteran scrum-half – so is now the time to pull the trigger?

There is certainly an argument to support the inclusion of a player who is proven on the big stage – three Lance Todd Trophy wins tells you that much – and is a master of getting a team to the right areas of the field with his trusty left boot, no matter what level of experience is around him.

The man he would likely be replacing is Leon Hayes, who has had his difficulties since returning to the fold but stepped up and led the side superbly in the second half against Catalans Dragons last week as The Wire fought back to win.

Given his confidence will be boosted by that showing, is now the right time to be taking him out of the side?

There is, of course, a way to get all three into the side which would involve Ewan Irwin once again playing at full-back, where he was moved to when Thewlis did not reappear for the second half last week.

That, however, appears unlikely given youngster Lachlan Webster – a man who has stepped in at full-back twice already in wins over Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC – is ready and available.

Marc Sneyd has not featured since the Round 13 victory over Hull FC (Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)

Shuffles along the back line

The most clear-cut selection decision appears to be how Lindop will be replaced.

Webster is capable of playing at wing and centre but is likely to be needed at full-back, while Toby King is not yet fit to return from his own injury.

As such, Albert Hopoate and Josh Smith look set to shuffle along the three-quarter line – the former moving inside to right centre and the latter shifting to the left edge – to create a gap on the right wing for Jake Thewlis to slot in.

After a 14-try breakout year in 2025, the younger Thewlis brother has played just once in Super League for Warrington this year but now has the opportunity of a run in the side.

Jake Thewlis appears likely to start on the wing having been recalled from his loan spell at Oldham (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

Is Adam Holroyd fit to start?

While players may be dropping like flies in general, some good news arrived in the long-awaited return to fitness of Adam Holroyd – albeit slightly earlier than perhaps was planned.

His comeback had been earmarked for last week’s Reserves game against Castleford but he was catapulted into the Catalans game from 18th man and was his usual energetic self. In truth, it looked as though he had never been away.

Logic would dictate that he simply steps up to fill the bench spot left vacant by Crowther and given he still needs handling with care after several months on the sidelines, that appears to be the most likely solution.

However, could he start the game if Burgess feels like he would like more size on his bench?

Crowther, James Harrison and most recently Ben Currie have been starting games in the back row before moving to the middle when Kelepi Tanginoa comes off the bench, but Holroyd could be used in a similar way while still managing his minutes.

That would, of course, allow Currie to stick to loose forward while Harrison could add more heft to the interchange bench.

Adam Holroyd made an unexpected return from 18th man against Catalans Dragons (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

Another way to add more to the middle unit would be to call upon one of the two young props named in the 21-man squad in Tom McKinney and Charlie McKler, the latter of whom would be making his Super League debut, in place of Sam Powell.

That may have been more of an option if Crowther – a man capable of filling in at dummy-half if required – had been fit, but his absence is likely to mean Burgess sticks with having a hooker among his interchanges.

Predicted Warrington Wolves team vs Leigh Leopards at Magic Weekend

Lachlan Webster; Jake Thewlis, Albert Hopoate, Josh Smith, Matty Ashton; Ewan Irwin, Leon Hayes; Luke Thomas, Danny Walker, Liam Byrne, James Bentley, James Harrison, Ben Currie.

Subs: Sam Powell, Max Wood, Kelepi Tanginoa, Adam Holroyd