James Macdonnell: Last News

Adrian Lam has named a strong Wigan Warriors side to take on Leeds Rhinos in this evening’s Super League play-off eliminator.

Adrian Lam has rested a number of players for the club’s match with Catalans. Liam Farrell, Sam Powell and John Bateman have not been risked ahead of next week’s play-off clash. They join Brad Singleton, Morgan Smithies and Liam Marshall on the list of absentees tonight, with Lam taking no risks at all ahead before next week’s match, which will be against the winners of tonight’s game between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR. It means Tony Clubb is given a final home appearance before he retires which the recently recalled James McDonnell also gets an opportunity to impress in the back-row. Joe Shorrocks deputises at hooker in the absence of Powell and Joe Bullock starts in place of Singleton.

Liam Marshall: The winger was playing out of position and did not look natural when he chimed into the line, while he also had some shaky moments at the back. 5

Brad O’Neill will make his Super League debut off the bench in a much-changed Wigan Warriors team to face Wakefield Trinity.

Wigan Warriors have recalled two youngsters for their Super League clash with Wakefield Trinity after naming just an 18-man squad.

Salford only had one official pre-season match ahead of the blockbuster return to Super League action against St Helens next week.

John Bateman will pull on a Wigan Warriors shirt for the first time since 2018 when he lines up against Salford Red Devils this afternoon.Despite being given the number 13 shirt this season, the England international has been named in second-row by head coach Adrian Lam, in what is a young 25-man squad.There’s no Bevan French, Jackson Hastings, Jai Field or Oliver Gildart, but Lam has given youngsters James McDonnell and Umyla Hanley chances to impress in the outside backs.Harry Smith starts in the halves, he’ll play alongside the veteran Thomas Leuluai, while Ethan Havard has been given the opportunity to start at loose-forward, despite Morgan Smithies being fit to play and in the squad.Zak Hardaker drops back to full-back, while Willie