Super League preview – Warrington set to rest Wembley heroes
It’s the final week of fixtures in the Super League this weekend, and while most of the sides already know their fate in terms of play-off positions there are still a couple of issues to be resolved.
Warrington are one of those teams which can improve their position in the table, they currently sit third in the league but are level on points with St Helens, who occupy second place. The Merseysider’s can guarantee the runners-up spot, and a home tie in the play-offs, with a win over Castleford on Saturday but Warrington have the chance to put pressure on their rivals on Friday by beating Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.
But it could be argued that they have already settled for third place as coach Tony Smith (pictured) has decided to rest a number of key players for the match following their Challenge Cup success over Leeds last weekend.
Skipper Adrian Morley, Lance Todd Trophy winner Lee Briers, centre Matt King and second-row duo Louis Anderson and Ben Westwood all have been given the week off to recharge their batteries after a monumental effort at Wembley.
However, the strength of the Warrington squad means the replacements should have no problem in matching the standards set by the rested stars. Mike Cooper and Richie Myler, who both were unluckily dropped from last week’s Wembley squad, are brought back in, as is England international Chris Bridge who will make his first Super League appearance in two months after recovering from a shoulder injury. The only surprise inclusion is 17-year-old centre Rhys Evans, who is set to make his senior debut for the club.
Harlequins will bid farewell to their current coach Brian McDermott as he takes charge for the final time before moving to Leeds to work as Brain McLennan’s assistant. The club have announced that they will release positive news regarding the club’s future before kick-off, which is rumoured to be the appointment of a new coach.
Luke May has replaced Lamont Bryan in the only change to the squad that last time out against Castleford lost 40-28.
Wigan are in no mood to change their winning side as they have named a full strength squad for their clash with Bradford Bulls at the DW Stadium on Friday. Prop Stuart Fielden, centres Martin Gleeson and George Carmont and hooker Michael McIlorum all will return from injury to gain some much needed game time ahead of the play-offs. The Warriors will be presented with the league leaders Shield before kick-off after securing the title with their win over Hull KR two weeks ago.
Bradford, who ended a club record losing streak of 12 games last time out, will be looking to p**p the Wigan party and stand-in coach Lee St Hilaire has made only one change to the side with Stuart Reardon coming in for full-back Dave Halley.
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