153 days after narrowly losing out in the 2018 Grand Final, the Wire take on arch-rivals Wigan Warriors in Round 6 of the 2019 Super League. Steve Price's team will be looking to avenge that Old Trafford defeat last October and build on the excellent win over title-challengers Castleford Tigers last week. Here is the line-up I would pick for the latest instalment of this fierce rivalry...
In this week's Sweet 17, I have made two changes to the squad that earned a 24-10 win over the Tigers, one of which is enforced after Bryson Goodwin left the field of play last Thursday with an ankle injury, which Steve Price has confirmed will see the centre ruled out for 'a few weeks'. I've gone for a side with experience and physicality, particularly in the forward lines, which will be a necessity on Friday night.
Full Back - 1 Stefan Ratchford
Ratchford was back to his best in last week's win, with a superb exhibition of goal-kicking as well as faultless handling all night. This is likely to be a tight game and so the accuracy of his goal-kicking could be pivotal. In terms of the full backs, he is up against the controversial but talented Zak Hardaker - bound to be an interesting battle.
Winger - 22 Jake Mamo
After two tries on debut last week, Mamo is pretty much an automatic pick for this game. As well as his brace, the former Huddersfield man was very effective in terms of his all-round play, getting the assist for Jack Hughes' try and putting in a good defensive shift too. One of our biggest scoring threats in this game.
Centre - 4 Ryan Atkins
With Goodwin out injured, a place in the centres is up for grabs. There are various options, including Livett, Mamo or even Hughes, who covered for Goodwin in the second half on Thursday. However, Steve Price has confirmed that it will be Ryan Atkins who takes Goodwin's place, returning to the side after failing to make the squad for the Castleford clash. Atkins' big-game experience and know-how will be crucial to success on Friday.
Centre - 18 Toby King
Despite starting the season in the second row, King's best performance was at centre, his natural position, in the 24-10 win over Castleford. With Goodwin out for a number of weeks, King will be partnering Ryan Atkins and will hopefully replicate his all-action performance from last week, when he was exemplary in both attack and defence.
Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
All eyes will be on Charnley as the winger prepares to face his former team. With four tries this season, Charnley is still Wire's top scorer and in recent games has displayed his outstanding defensive work too - with two vital tackles in attacking positions. How wonderful it would be to see him score against his former employers.
Stand Off - 6 Blake Austin
While you'd expect to see lots of flashy, tricky play from a player of Austin's technical ability, I am perhaps more impressed with the dirty side to his game that we have seen in recent weeks. The number six isn't afraid to get himself into big tackles and make the metres up. Let's hope his kicking game is as good as it was last week, too.
Scrum Half - 15 Declan Patton
Patton had arguably his best game of the season in the last game, with a stunning pass to set up Jake Mamo's first try. Wire will be looking for him to repeat of his handling success from that game, but also show an improvement in his creative kicking game, which wasn't as effective as in previous games. It will be interesting to see if the partnership between Patton and Atkins, which has been fruitful on two occasions, returns now that the latter is back in the fold.
Prop - 8 Chris Hill
This was the one position that I did the most to-ing and fro-ing over. I've been disappointed with Hill's discipline in the last few games, giving away a number of penalties and losing possession on occasion. However, as the captain, Hill really should be starting this game and using his leadership and experience to help us through.
Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
Our player of the season so far, in my opinion. The former Castleford hooker has been exemplary in terms of his work-rate and performance level, with a phenomenal set of statistics from the last game in particular. His yardage will be key. He is a big-game player too, one who can manage to get his side back in the game if they are struggling. If we have any difficult points in the game, Clark is a man to help the team through them.
Prop - 10 Mike Cooper
Cooper put in an outstanding shift last week at prop forward and has been one of our most consistent players this season. His discipline and all-round energy will be a key facet to winning this game. Making up metres against a team that are struggling on confidence will be Cooper's remit on Friday. He is one of our most important players, though he isn't always recognised for this.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
It was a glorious sight last week at the Halliwell Jones as Currie returned from his long-term injury. The second rower lasted 80 minutes and played well on his comeback. I questioned whether Murdoch-Masila should start this game, but Price is likely to stick with a winning team. It might be hard for Currie to do the full 80 like he did last week, so the interchanges will be vital.
Second Row - 12 Jack Hughes
The co-captain was excellent last week, scoring a wonderful try after deceiving the Castleford defence. His creative spark could be crucial in a game likely to be tense and nervy, so it will be interesting to see if Hughes gets himself involved in the technical side of the game again.
Loose Forward - 34 Ben Westwood
Lama Tasi's performances at loose forward have disappointed me greatly, particularly in the last two games. Warrington's longest-serving player was very good from the bench last week and with his almighty wealth of big-game experience, is an obvious pick for me. I wouldn't want us to play in a game with such big rivalry without Westwood from the off.
Interchange - 17 Joe Philbin
In a game with such physicality, the interchange bench is likely to be important. Philbin was brilliant off the bench last time out, completing a number of tackles and offering some good work in terms of yardage. Given Hill's experience and Cooper's great form, it is unlikely that Philbin's display last week will earn him a start, but he could still play a crucial role from the bench.
Interchange - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
With tries in two of the last three games, there have been some calls for the Tongan to come into the starting team. Personally, I think that for now at least, he is most effective in regular stints from the bench. Eventually, I want to see him as a starter for us because I actually consider him to be our best second rower, but Hughes and Currie can't be dropped after their performance last week.
Interchange - 14 Jason Clark
Another player who is really pushing for a place in the starting 13. The Aussie has looked really effective in his stints off the bench, particularly away at Huddersfield and Catalans. With Clark being available to play in such an array of positions, he will become an increasingly important player in the coming weeks when we start to rotate the forward pack.
Interchange - 21 Danny Walker
One of only two changes to the matchday 17, Walker replaces Tasi in my squad. Tasi hasn't offered enough at loose forward and with Westwood and Jason Clark, we have two players to cover that position. Daryl Clark has hardly missed a minute so far, and given the quality, consistency and ferociousness of the rugby league he is playing at the minute, we need to protect him from injury and fatigue. Giving Walker occasional minutes from the bench is the way to do this.
LINEUP LAST TIME OUT: (vs Castleford Tigers)
Ratchford, Mamo, Goodwin, King, Charnley, Austin, Patton, Hill, D.Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes, Tasi
Interchanges: J.Clark, Westwood, Philbin, Murdoch-Masila
MY SWEET 17: (vs Wigan Warriors)
Ratchford, Mamo, Atkins, King, Charnley, Austin, Patton, Hill, D.Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes, Westwood
Interchanges: Philbin, Murdoch-Masila, Walker, J.Clark
With that being my 17, it means that Tasi and Lineham miss out. With regards to Tasi, it is a performance-based decision. Yardage is key in these games and he hasn't shown enough of that, nor has he had enough successful carries of the ball. Lineham was omitted from the squad last week and despite being one of the biggest scoring threats in the squad, Mamo can't be dropped after his brace. If this wasn't such a big game, I'd have Lineham on the bench and use him at points to rotate any of the back line (a massive advantage of having a utility back like Mamo). The winger will be brought back in soon, though - he's too good a player not to be.
Friday is the biggest game of the season so far. Wigan are in poor form but they are still our biggest rivals in this league and will present a massive challenge to the Wire. Wigan have started with four losses in their first five games, to St Helens, Hull FC, London and Huddersfield. The Warriors' shocking start to the season under new boss Adrian Lam has taken everyone by surprise, but they will be hungry and fired up to get their season up and running on Friday and we cannot take this win for granted. We have been victorious in Wigan's last two visits to the Halliwell Jones - defeating the Cherries in both Super League and the Challenge Cup at home last season. It is crucial that the Halliwell Jones crowd play their part and create a superb atmosphere for the game as we look to build on our unbeaten start at home so far in 2019. The club have done a great job of promoting the game with the 'bad blood' advertising campaign and the fierce rivalry between the two clubs should help make for an unbelievable occasion. This is it folks, time to put that Grand Final behind us once and for all...
Prediction: Warrington Wolves 26-16 Wigan Warriors
It's always our year.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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