Predicted Warrington Wolves team vs Wakefield Trinity

In reality, Warrington Wolves are still likely to finish third even if they lose at Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, prompting many to wonder if Burgess would hold some of his top troops in reserve after a manic August which saw them play six times in just four weeks.

But while he has made six changes to his squad, the vast majority of them are enforced and with the exception of potential debutant Charlie McKler, it is players of first-team experience stepping in for them.

So with that in mind, the likelihood is that The Wire will try to lay a marker down against one of their play-off rivals to lock up third place at worst with one round still to play – but there are still options for Burgess to rotate in certain areas.

Here’s a look at a few of the decisions that could be in his mind…

Yates is back – so will a starting middle get a breather?

There are a few holes in Warrington’s middle unit at the moment – with Toff Sipley having already been ruled out for the rest of 2026, they have also lost Joe Philbin, Luke Thomas and Jordy Crowther from last week.

However, there is better news on that front in that Luke Yates is back from the neck injury that had looked likely to end his season.

It was a similar injury to the one that also kept George Williams out until recently, but Yates will undergo a bit more of a test on it given the number of carries and tackles he will have to make in his position.

Will he come straight in from the start? And if so, could that mean one of Burgess’ usual starting middles gets a breather?

Liam Byrne had one recently against York, so it may be more aimed at either James Harrison or Ben Currie – the latter is one who has been playing huge minutes and with Yates more than handy at loose forward, it could present an opportunity.

With three middle-unit options already missing from last week, however, it feels unlikely that Burgess will take more experience out of that area if he can avoid it.

How will the bench be filled?

The absence of Philbin, Thomas, Crowther and Sam Powell means that only Max Wood remains from those who came off the interchanges at Hull FC.

And that brings about a question of how Burgess will go about structuring his bench – and whether or not it will mean a debut for gun young prop Charlie McKler.

It cannot be argued that he does not merit a first-team bow given his superb form for the Reserves this year, including a brace of tries in their semi-final victory over Leeds Rhinos on Sunday.

It seems the perfect time to do so as well as if he instead featured against Toulouse next week, it would more than likely take him out of contention for that weekend’s Reserves Grand Final and while the needs of the first team are the priority, it would feel like a shame to deny him the chance to win a competition he has been so influential in if it can be avoided.

While he is usually a starting middle, easing Yates back in from the bench would probably seem more prudent while Kelepi Tanginoa also seems likely to be among the interchanges.

So could it be Yates, McKler, Wood and Tanginoa in an all-forwards bench? It depends whether or not Burgess wants to have the option of spelling Danny Walker, in which case Ben Hartill would get a bench spot in the absence of Crowther and the suspended Sam Powell.

Changes in the outside-backs?

There will be at least one alteration among the back five – Arron Lindop is out under concussion protocol, so Josh Smith looks set to slide back into the centres.

However, there’s scope for some more swaps if Burgess deems it appropriate.

Albert Hopoate and Matty Ashton have put in some rock-solid graft all year without a break – indeed, Hopoate is the only Wire player to start every competitive match this season while Ashton has been ever-present since returning from his ACL in Round Five.

Lachlan Webster is ready to slot in wherever there’s a gap while Josh Thewlis could also move back out onto the wing, which could facilitate the much-anticipated return of Cai Taylor-Wray at full-back.

If the livewire number one is to prove his fitness for the play-offs, time is running out for him to do so – could this be his chance?

Warrington Wolves predicted team vs Wakefield Trinity

Josh Thewlis; Albert Hopoate, Josh Smith, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Leon Hayes; Liam Byrne, Danny Walker, James Harrison, Sam Stone, James Bentley, Ben Currie. Subs: Luke Yates, Max Wood, Kelepi Tanginoa, Ben Hartill