The 18th Man Column: 'Who is top of the props at Wigan Warriors?'

Props Ben Flower and George Burgess are nearing returns. When they’re fit, who misses out?

Alex Graham: I don’t think Tony Clubb is offering enough minutes or impact at the moment and although Flower’s persistent injuries are a concern I’d start him in Clubb’s place.

On paper and based on his form at Souths George Burgess would be my other starter, but his hip injury which he brought with him from Souths seems to a long-term issue and I hope it doesn’t continue to plague him.

With regards to two spots on the bench, I think Joe Bullock has a similar style of play to St Helens’ Luke Thompson and has earned selection following two impressive performances.

The last spot I’d give to Oliver Partington who has arguably been our best prop but I feel is more effective off the bench.

Robert Kenyon: Nobody. First they need to prove themselves in the reserves and earn their spot. Joe Bullock and Mitch Clarke have started in the reserves and earned their spot in the first team and have played well once they did, I know it’s a squad game and a bit of squad rotation will keep players fresh, I’d want to see both Flower and Burgess build up match fitness and sharpness in the reserves.

Sean Lawless: I am not too sure anyone misses out for Ben Flower at this moment in time until injury or suspension dictates.

For George Burgess, I would like to see Tony Clubb rested. Although the Hull game was his best game for a while, he doesn’t look injury free and adding a more mobile prop in Burgess to an already very exciting prop makes Wigan look like a team that can really challenge this season.

Jon Lyon: If fit then there’s no doubt Burgess will play, money talks after all.

I would probably start either Partington or Bullock alongside him with the other on the bench. Byrne deserves to keep his place on the bench with his performances so far so that leaves no room for Clubb, Flower, Havard or Clark. My next choice in line would probably be Flower, at least until Clark is able to manage more minutes on the pitch. It’s a tough call Lammy has, but better that choice than we’re desperately short of props.

No doubt there will be plenty game-time for all as the season goes, injuries and form dictating who plays the most. As good as they are, we need to make sure we don’t burn out our young lads as well.

Jeanette Lusher: Adrian Lam has a headache with so many options in the front row but it’s a nice headache to have!

The season is a very long one so there is a need to rotate the squad and keep players fit and fresh. Byrne, Partington and Havard are amazing youngsters but last season it was evident in the semi final against Salford that it was a game too far. Flower and Clubb are our older and more experienced props and I feel that they can be of best value coming off the bench this season.

Burgess and Bullock I see as the battering rams who can take a lot out of the opposition in the opening minutes of each half thus laying a solid foundation for the backs to build upon.

The season is long enough to rotate and incorporate all of our front row players yet still leave them with plenty in the tank for the business end of the season.

Injuries will undoubtedly play their part but all will be well managed by Adrian of that I am sure.

Darren Wrudd: I would firstly be careful not to change too much at once and possibly bring one in at a time. While our young guns Partington and Byrne are loving their rugby, it may be wise to rotate them depending on who is carrying the worst of the bruises. They may think they don’t need it but it’s a long season.

Beyond that, its all about fitness. We will never know about who is carrying what injuries and should not, but selection in such a brutal sport must take that into account beyond all else.

Player welfare and squad management go hand in hand. So while George and Ben will be raring to get back, until they are fully fit and the opportunity presents itself, they will just need to train and be ready.

How confident are you Wigan will beat Huddersfield on Sunday?

Alex Graham: Based on Sunday’s performance I’m confident we can beat Huddersfield regardless of the good start the Giants have had.

In fact I’ll go as far to say it could be convincing as we’ll be looking to build on a confident display, growing combinations and competition for places which could prove too much for a Huddersfield side which has maybe over-achieved so far.

I also think the team suits playing in a familiar style of stadium and in front of a vocal Wigan away following.

Robert Kenyon: After watching us against Hull I’m confident, I believe we have got our best team on the pitch or at least we are 99 per cent there.

Huddersfield are an average side but with Aidan Sezer, who is sheer quality.

If we wouldn’t have signed Hastings and we’d signed Sezer I’d have been just as happy, he’s top-drawer.

I’m confident in our pack now, our wingers are running through brick walls, our centres are strong defensively, Hastings is orchestrating the game, Leuluai is solid and French is playing like a player which you’d make yourself on FIFA and make his speed 100, skill 100, Step 100.

He is very similar to how Amos Roberts started the 2010 campaign and at this rate he’ll be Man of Steel.

Sean Lawless: After the performance from Wigan on Sunday, I am confident that they can overcome a confident Huddersfield team.

In terms of managing a game, that was the best second half performance from Wigan under Lam.

They built a score and kept Hull at bay, in the past, ill discipline and poor game management would have seen a edgier finish.

Produce that level again and Wigan will win by a similar margin against Huddersfield.

Jon Lyon: We’re certainly capable, but like every week it will depend on attitude. Huddersfield have had a much better start than expected, although aside from a good result in France, wins over Salford and Hull KR hardly prove they’re title contenders just yet. Their confidence will be high though and the home crowd should get them going.

If we can match their forwards then our backs should outscore theirs.

While no match is a certainty, there is no-one in the league we shouldn’t feel confident of beating.

As long as the players work for each other and give the ball some air at the right time, we have the talent to win any game.

Jeanette Lusher: My confidence has been rising with each game as I can see the team steadily improving.

Success is often built on defence and thus far we have only conceded a maximum two tries per game.

Our attacking combinations were far better on Sunday and we employed different options when completing sets.

We are not as predictable this season for the opposition do not know what to expect from the likes of Bevan French, Jackson Hastings and young Harry Smith.

Are we going to kick, are we going to run or are we going to pass? There is still plenty to improve on such as discipline and respecting possession! No cheap yards! Offloads limited!

Dealing with short kick offs! Huddersfield appear to be going very well and will provide a stern test indeed but we need to keep our composure, apply the pressure and stick to the game plan to secure the win.

Darren Wrudd: Not really sure about this one, Huddersfield have undergone something of a transformation this year. The arrival of Aiden Sezer had breathed new life into the squad and is certainly hugely responsible for the current early form of the sleeping Giants.

The pack seems well organised and are proving a handful to control, so our lads will need to be aggressive and yet disciplined as we dare not invite them in with penalties through careless technique. We are certainly capable of doing a number on them but we could do with a little more composure when under the pump.

I think it will be a close one but put Wigan ahead come the final whistle by 10 points.

Aside from the return of Dom Manfredi, what pleased you most about the win against Hull FC?

Alex Graham: I thought our discipline and error-count was a huge improvement compared to the initial first three games. It allowed the team to get into a flow and execute a game plan with forwards getting on top and providing good position for backline combinations to strike. I thought the body language from the players was really positive and they seemed full of confidence too – this was reflected in the stands as it was an enjoyable performance from a fans perspective.

Robert Kenyon: I was pleased our attack looked good and we played as a team. The lads look like they’re enjoying their rugby and I noticed our attack is getting better. We seem to be doing more inside balls which stops the defensive line from sliding, the more inside balls you do the more the defence will stop sliding then you ping it wide and I like our attack now.

We seem to be a bit more crafty, what you’d expect from a team coached by a halfback in my opinion and I like crafty, cheeky, expansive rugby. I was also pleased with how Joe Bullock is running the ball in, how Sam Powell is scooting a bit more and getting the ball from hooker a bit quicker, I was also pleased with both wingers Marshall and Manfredi both running hard out of acting half. I was also impressed with Hastings, he reminds me of Trent Barrett in the way he takes hold of a game by the scruff of the neck whether it wants him to or not, I like it.

Sean Lawless: The return of Manfredi was brilliant and unexpectedly sooner than I thought! The forward pack looks to be growing in confidence and the balance of the bench looked to be right.

The impact of Bullock and Clark works well and the stamina of Partington and Smithies compliments that also.

Considering the size of the Hull pack, the Wigan side ensured that wasn’t a factor in the game and they deserve credit for that.

Jon Lyon: There were many pleasing aspects to what was a good win. Our forwards more than matched Hull’s aggression, and defensively we were quick off the line. I had to agree with the man of the match choice as Partington was outstanding, though the rest of the pack weren’t far behind.

There were yet more signs Hastings is finding his place in the team and the players are learning how he plays and which lines to run. French as always is so exciting to watch, buzzing around in back play like a bee on a leash, just waiting to explode into the line. I thought in his limited time Harry Smith again showed how good he is with some clever kicks.

I loved seeing Hastings geeing up the crowd every time he lined up to receive a kick off after a try.

In truth we need that, we aren’t always the loudest, and if he can get the crowd up for every game, rather than just when we play Saints or feel hard done to by the ref then the DW should be a real fortress for our boys.

Jeanette Lusher: I was pleased we played with more urgency, particularly in the second half, we moved up to the opposition and we combined well for large spells of the game.

Jackson Hastings totally outplayed Mark Sneyd! He is taking charge and I love seeing the combinations between him, Liam Farrell and Bevan French.

Our forwards are doing the hard graft and our half backs are doing a brilliant job of linking with and unleashing our backs.

I am excited at the prospect of how good we shall be as the season progresses and we get more game time and drier conditions.

Darren Wrudd: Its always nice to look at how individuals impress during a game and none more so than Zak Hardaker who has come such a long way. I was not convinced when the rumours of his signing first emerged and from the outside looking in, would not have taken the chance. But 2019 saw Zak work so very hard to get back in shape and form, with him carrying the team forward at times showing great leadership. Now with a good pre-season behind him, he has hit the ground running. A natural leader, Zak was all over his support play and when switched to full back only missed one tackle that I saw meaning he had a fantastic 80 minutes and was instrumental in securing the win.

I suppose his willingness to play wherever he is tasked to with total commitment shows how much he has taken to the club and I am looking forward to watching him tear some defences apart this year.