Wigan Warriors prop options analysed for St Helens semi-final following Ethan Havard suspension blow
Wigan Warriors will be without key prop Ethan Havard for Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.
The 25-year-old prop will miss the mouthwatering semi-final through a one-match suspension picked up after Saturday’s 38-14 win over Bradford Bulls, with the club failing in their bid to get his disciplinary charge downgraded in front of an Operational Rules Tribunal on Tuesday evening.
Given Havard has started nine of his 11 appearances for Wigan this season, his absence is no doubt a blow to the Warriors. However, there are a couple of avenues Matt Peet and Co could go down in terms of filling the void in the front-row. With that in mind, Wigan Today has taken a look at the options at Peet’s disposal as to how the Warriors could shape up in the front-row alongside regular starter Luke Thompson...
Sam Walters to start?
This would be the most obvious option, you feel. The Warriors are boosted by the return of Walters this week, with the 6ft 7in forward having completed serving his three-match ban he received in the Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Wakefield Trinity last month.
It would probably be fair to say that it would be the most like-for-like replacement for Havard. Both players have the ability to churn out big minutes in the middle of the park, and both have similar work rates when it comes to the number of carries and tackles made.
Kaide Ellis back in the front-row?
The Australian started on the bench for the first time this season in last Saturday’s win over Bradford, and played a slightly different role than what he usually does at loose forward. Ellis came on and featured in the front-row with Ollie Partington starting at 13, and Ellis was good value, bringing physical presence to the middle of the park and carrying the ball with intent, causing problems for Bradford’s middle defence.
The 29-year-old would be more than capable of starting in the front-row alongside Thompson. It’s not a position he is alien to, having played there when he first arrived at the club before transitioning into a ball-playing 13 role.
Sam Eseh to start or feature from the bench?
Perhaps a slightly left-field option for Wigan would be giving a start to young prop Eseh. The Leeds-born front-rower has made 11 appearances for the Warriors this season, with eight of those coming from the bench.
The 22-year-old certainly possesses a strong carry, but hasn’t played big stints for Peet’s side so far, having been used more as an impact prop from the bench alongside Patrick Mago.
Who comes onto the bench?
Wigan have a couple of youngsters they could call upon for a bench position. Taylor Kerr, who was 18th man in last week’s win over Bradford, could provide some utility value, being able to play loose forward, hooker or halfback, while last week’s debutant Josh Cartwright could keep his place on the bench as cover for the backline. Kian McDermott is another forward option, too.
So while Havard will be sorely missed during his suspension, the Warriors do have a couple of options in terms of plugging the gap. As one door temporarily closes, another door opens.