Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons team news as Matt Peet makes two changes to 21-man squad
The 21-man squads are in for Friday’s clash between Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons
Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet has made two changes to his 21-man squad ahead of Friday night’s clash with Catalans Dragons at the Brick Community Stadium.
The Cherry and Whites are able to welcome back club captain Liam Farrell, who has not featured since Wigan’s win over Hull FC on June 27 due to a neck injury.
It is a fitting return for Farrell, who announced last week that he will be retiring at the end of the season following a 17-year professional playing career.
Josh Cartwright, who is comfortable playing along the backline, also comes into Peet’s extended squad, with the aforementioned duo replacing Jake Wardle and George O’Loughlin.
Wardle missed last Saturday’s 40-8 win over Leeds Rhinos after suffering a calf injury in training, but is aiming to be back for the semi-finals or Grand Final, should Wigan reach Old Trafford.
Peet has confirmed that youngster O’Loughlin will not play again this year after sustaining a quad injury in training.
As for Catalans, coach John Cartwright will be without Alrix Da Costa and Edenn Rogers-Smith through head injury protocols, while Kruise Leeming, who has spent the season on loan from Wigan, is ruled out through injury.
As a result, Franck Maria, Nick Cotric and Harvey Wilson return to Cartwright’s squad.
Dragons duo Tommy Makinson and Benjamin Garcia are set to play the final game of their stellar careers on Friday night as they hang up their boots.
Should the Warriors win, Peet’s side would secure their second piece of silverware this year in the shape of the League Leaders’ Shield, having lifted the Challenge Cup back in May.
Wigan: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters, Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington, Sam Eseh, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Josh Cartwright, Austin Daniel, Shea O’Connor.
Catalans: Charlie Staines, Tommy Makinson, Nick Cotric, Toby Sexton, Lewis Dodd, Julian Bousquet, Franck Maria, Benjamin Garcia, Josh Allen, Romain Navarrete, Harvey Wilson, Matthieu Laguerre, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Lenny Marc, Ugo Tison, Clement Martin, Leo Darrelatour, Giovanni Descalzi, Alexis Lis, Adrian Delarose, Mickael Goudemand.
The Round 27 Super League fixture takes place at the Brick Community Stadium on Friday night, 8pm kick-off. The game will be broadcast live on the Sky Sports + Channel.