Get the lowdown on Hull FC’s Betfred Super League Round 5 meeting with Wigan Warriors…
2nd meets 3rd tomorrow evening as two of Super League’s remaining three unbeaten sides go head-to-head at the DW Stadium.
Both sides played out hard-fought games in Round 4, with Hull just having the legs on a gutsy Wakefield outfit, whilst Wigan did enough to see off Daryl Powell’s Castleford.
Team News
Two players have been forced out of Brett Hodgson’s 21-man squad for the trip across the Pennines, with Bureta Faraimo suspended and Josh Bowden nursing an elbow injury.
Jack Brown has returned to the squad after serving a one-match suspension, whilst young academy winger Harvey Barron earned his first senior call-up after impressing during first-team training sessions throughout pre-season.
Josh Reynolds (hamstring) and Manu Ma’u (calf) continue to battle their way back to full fitness, whilst Jamie Shaul (knee) and Masi Matongo (knee) are longer-term absentees for the Airlie Birds.
Tommy Leuluai will miss tomorrow’s key clash with a sternum problem.
Despite Oliver Gildart (groin) and Dom Manfredi (hand) being in contention to return this week, the pair have suffered minor setbacks and won’t be risked.
Hull 21-man squad: Connor, Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Sao, Johnstone, Cator, Lane, Fash, McNamara, Brown, Swift, Scott, Ferreira, Vulikijapani, Barron
Warriors 21-man squad: French, Hardaker, Singleton, Powell, Bullock, Isa, Farrell, Bateman, Partington, Smithies, Clubb, Byrne, Smith, Havard, Bibby, Clark, Shorrocks, Halsall, McDonnell, Hanley, Hastings
What’s the lowdown on the Warriors?
Their record in 2021 stands unblemished. Across all competitions, they have played five and won five. But this will be the toughest assignment of the year so far for Adrian Lam’s men, coming up against another unbeaten side in 2021, who have undoubtedly tightened up at the back.
But Wigan’s sheer guile in attack will provide a new test for this resolute Hull defence. With a deadly three-quarter line and Zak Hardaker sitting in the pocket behind them waiting to pounce, the Warriors can be just as deadly from inside their own half as they are in goodball.
Both Hull and Wigan have almost identical records so far this season, with both sides conceding just 42 points. It’s the Warriors who have the slight advantage in attack, scoring just four more points than Brett Hodgson’s side.
Ones To Watch
Hull: Jake Connor – Playing an instrumental role at fullback for FC so far in 2021, this will be his biggest test of the year, coming up against another contender for the England fullback role at the Rugby League World Cup at the end of the year. Connor will need to display the right temperament during what could be a war of attrition, executing any plays he possibly can. His clutch try assist for Carlos Tuimavave’s match winner against Wakefield in the last ten minutes last time out was a perfect example of the quality Connor has to offer, but can he do it on the big stage against one of the title favourites?
Warriors: Zak Hardaker – The man competing with Connor and a handful of others across the league for that England number one jersey has earned plenty of plaudits at the start of the season, making the most metres, and the most tackle busts out of anyone else in Super League so far in 2021. Such has been Hardaker’s class at fullback this season that Bevan French featured on the wing in his comeback game last week, an indication of Adrian Lam’s trust in the former Leeds and Castleford man.
Key Match Details
Where: DW Stadium, Wigan, UK
When: Thursday 29 April, 7.45pm kick-off
Coverage: Broadcast live on Sky Sports, as well as the OuRLeague app for members who don’t have access to Sky Sports
STORY SPONSOR
