Wigan Warriors will be without several key players when they line up in their Super League opener against Leigh Centurions at Headingley on Friday night.
Jackson Hastings, Bevan French, Oliver Gildart, Dom Manfredi and Liam Marshall will all be sidelined as last year’s Grand Finalists commence the campaign, presenting opportunities for others to stake their claims for longer-term selection.
With both 2019 Man of Steel Hastings and fullback Bevan French having had their returns to the UK delayed, Lam does not want to risk either until they have been able to get in more training sessions.
England centre Gildart is set to miss out due to a groin strain, while Manfredi (fractured thumb) and Marshall, who continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained last September, are also sidelined.
All of that could mean that 23-year-old Jai Field, who missed last week’s friendly against Salford could be in line for his Warriors debut. The former St George Illawarra and Parramatta half-back comes into the 21-man squad, while of those who played last week, Alex Sutton, Ben Kilner, Matty Nicholson, Brad O’Neill and Aiden Rodon all miss out.
Full 21-man squad to face the Centurions: 3. Zak Hardaker; 6. Jai Field; 7. Tommy Leuluai; 8. Brad Singleton; 9. Sam Powell; 10. Joe Bullock; 11. Willie Isa; 12. Liam Farrell; 13. John Bateman; 14. Oliver Partingon; 15. Morgan Smithies; 17. Tony Clubb; 19. Liam Byrne; 20. Harry Smith; 21. Ethan Havard; 22. Jake Bibby; 23. Mitch Clark; 25. Joe Shorrocks; 28. Sam Halsall; 29. James McDonnell; 30. Umyla Hanley.
