WITH very few Warrington Wolves fans getting to watch last night’s win over Toulouse Olympique live, we are doing this week’s man of the match in a different way.

Rather than put it to the usual vote, sports reporter Matt Turner will give his three stand-outs having been at the Stade Ernest Wallon to see The Wire’s 32-18 win.

In terms of our Guardian readers’ player of the year points, winners of weekly polls are awarded 10 points, with five and two awarded to second and third place respectively.

As such, here are Matt’s picks this week…

Third place (two points) – PETER MATA’UTIA

Another solid performance over on the right edge for the centre, who is looking more of a shrewd buy as the rounds go on.

His uncanny ability to break free from tackles caused all manner of problems for the Toulouse defence while he can also take two assists home for his troubles, too.

Having shown awareness to send George Williams racing away having dislodged the ball, he then showed impressive sleight of hand to set up Josh Charnley’s second try.

A big part of a right edge that was solid in defence, too.

Second place (five points) – ELLIS LONGSTAFF

With Oliver Holmes’ return from suspension imminent, Longstaff will likely be the player to make way but on this evidence, he certainly won’t be giving up his shirt without a fight.

What I like about Longstaff is that he seems to be such an all-round package as a back rower – he runs excellent, unselfish lines, is a threat with the ball and takes no prisoners in defence.

For such a young player, he shows absolutely no sign of being intimidated or overawed and that will only serve him well going forward.

Make no mistake, Wire have a superb rising talent on their hands in the shape of the fair-haired Yorkshireman.

Man of the match (10 points) – GEORGE WILLIAMS

Warrington Guardian:

George Williams gallops away to score. Picture by SWPix.com

With Gareth Widdop missing, Williams had to really step up and control this team.

He did everything he could and left little sprinkles of stardust in patches of the Stade Ernest Wallon surface.

In the first half in particular, he attacked the line frequently to get his side going while his short kicking game is an absolute joy to behold.

His right-side partnership with Mata’utia and Josh Charnley has already borne plenty of fruit and they are fast become Wire’s strike edge.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Josh Charnley – finished his tries well and was as willing as ever to take the ball away from his own line.

Stefan Ratchford – aside from missing a relatively simple early conversion, another solid outing for the Wire number one and another assist to the tally.

Joe Bullock – did not appear until after the break but produced some damaging carries.