Super League preview – Hull FC v Wigan Warriors
Hull coach Richard Agar has had to turn to youth once again this week as his squad has been ravaged by injuries and a suspension for their important clash with Wigan Warriors.
With the season nearing its conclusion, Hull will be hopeful they can sustain their good form and hold onto the final play-off place.
The Black and Whites lost Richard Whiting and Mark Calderwood to long-term injuries following last week's derby win over Hull KR, a game that also saw Danny Tickle pick up a one match ban. Craig Fitzgibbon will also miss the game as he suffered an Achilles injury in training. They join skipper Sean Long and Mark O'Meley on the sidelines, meaning nearly half of Hull’s first team will be missing for the visit of the league leaders.
In their absence Hull have recalled second-rower Mike Burnett from Sheffield and brought in youngsters Liam Kent, 19, Danny Nicklas, 18, and Chris Green, 20.
Coach Agar is adamant his side need to start well against Wigan if they are going to keep up the chase of the top three.
"They've got an ability to blow teams away in the first 20 minutes and it's important you stick with them during that time,” he told the club’s official website.
“Warrington did it last week and managed to get through the other side. They're a good side, a very ruthless and disciplined side and that's why they're sat at the top of the competition.”
Wigan, who won the reverse fixture 48-24 in March, will be under the stewardship of assistant Shaun Wane as head coach Michael Maguire has returned to Australia for family reasons.
Andy Coley returns to the Wigan squad after completing his two game suspension and Joel Tomkins is free to play following the RFU’s decision to rescind the red card he picked up last weekend. Lee Mossop is also available despite leaving the field last week with a shoulder injury, but Amos Roberts misses out owing to a knee injury picked up against Warrington.
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