Wigan Warriors head coach Adrian Lam admits the onus is on Zak Hardaker to “put right the wrongs” of his previous display at full-back when he runs out there against Catalans this weekend.
Hardaker enjoyed an outstanding start to the season in his favoured position but was some way below his free-flowing best in the Warriors’ Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Hull FC earlier this month.
Now, though, with star man Bevan French set to be sidelined for the next four to six weeks after he tore a hamstring in the win over Salford last weekend.
That has opened the door for Hardaker to regain the full-back spot and potentially pit his wits against Wigan old-boy Sam Tomkins this weekend.
Tomkins missed the Dragons’ win over St Helens last weekend but is expected to return to face his old club on Saturday.
Lam admitted: “It’s a big weekend. Sam didn’t play last week as he pulled out during the warm-up, so there is some doubt over Sam but we think he will play and will prepare for that.
“But it gives Zak an opportunity to go back to that full-back position and do a job for us.
“He’s been wanting to get back there since the Hull game and, I guess, to put right what was wrong there.”
Hardaker was furious with himself for his previous performance at full-back in the Challenge Cup defeat to Hull on May 8.
Lam added: “He just wasn’t happy with his last performance there.
“As any player who hasn’t played well in a particular position, you want to do that as soon as you can. Therefore I am sure he will want to play well this weekend.”
