Steve Price has told fans this week not to expect too many surprises in the lineup selection for the weekend's game, played at Headingley Stadium. Furrther on in the season, I think we're likely to see plenty of rotation to keep things fresh and protect from injuries, but at the minute out schedule is just the regular one match every weekend, so I think there'll be plenty of consistency in the picks for the first few matches back.
The main headline from the 21-man-squad announcement is that Ben Murdoch-Masila has not made the cut. Currently it is unknown whether this is an injury issue or if there could be a chance of this leading to an early release of contract. As well as Murdoch-Masila, there is no place for Leilani Latu, despite Steve Price talking up the forward's chances this week. Luis Johnson and Declan Patton also don't make it, but there are welcome returns from injury for speedster Matty Ashton and co-captain Jack Hughes.
Full-Back - 1 Stefan Ratchford
Despite the return to fitness of Ashton, I still expect Ratchford to start at full-back. He has been arguably Wire's player of the season so far and moving him out of position feels unlikely, though not impossible.
Winger - 2 Tom Lineham
Lineham is pretty much a shoo-in on the wing. He was in very good form before the shutdown and had developed his defensive game and his finishing prowess.
Centre - 4 Toby King
Another who had improved a lot in the most recent games was Toby King. I expect King to switch sides for this match though, as Anthony Gelling's availability is still unclear.
Centre - 26 Matty Ashton
Having Ashton back from injury is a godsend. His pace and ability to take people on will be useful in the quicker, more open format of rugby league. I would give him a go at centre as Ratchford won't be displaced at full-back and the combination of Ashton and Charnley out wide would be blistering.
Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
Another one who is guaranteed of his place is Josh Charnley out wide. I'd like to see him getting more of the ball than he was before the break.
Stand-Off - 6 Blake Austin
Austin was starting to pick up form before the shutdown and he will need to carry this into Saturday and beyond.
Scrum-Half - 7 Gareth Widdop
Despite the rumours about Widdop's future that have circulated this week, I expect him to start. Can the combination of Austin and Widdop continue to blossom?
Prop - 8 Chris Hill
I have wondered about whether Wire may use the rest of this packed season to gradually faze out Hill and move him to the bench, but I'm fairly certain he will start the first few games at least, if only for continuity and familiarity.
Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
With extra space and an increase in tempo, Daryl Clark should shine in the new format of rugby league. I look forward to seeing what he can produce.
Prop - 10 Mike Cooper
Cooper had been terrific in the pack before the shutdown and is arguably Warrington's most consistent performer. No doubting of his place for this one.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
If the rumours are to be believed, then Currie will be staying with Wire beyond the end of this year. He had been in very good form before the shutdown and he will be looking to carry this on.
Second Row - 12 Jack Hughes
With Murdoch-Masila out injured, there is a ready-made replacement in the return to fitness of co-captain Jack Hughes, who hasn't played in 2020 yet. The team will be a stronger, more cohesive outfit with him in it.
Loose Forward - 14 Jason Clark
If Murdoch-Masila had been available, I suspect that Hughes would've been at loose forward, with Murdoch-Masila back in the second row. However, I think we are now likely to see a like-for-like switch, and Jason Clark keeping his place at loose forward.
Interchange - 15 Joe Philbin
In the early days of the restart, the interchange bench is going to be critical, and Philbin will provide the firepower and energy from the bench.
Interchange - 18 Sitaleki Akauola
I expect Akauola to be picked for similar reasons to Philbin - the go-forward and the big hits.
Interchange - 19 Matt Davis
Davis is a player I'm really interested in seeing. With the rule changes and the quicker matches, his scurrying and energetic play could be really beneficial.
Interchange - 20 Danny Walker
I think Walker would be a brilliant interchange right now because of his scoots and his ability to find gaps in defences.
It is incredibly difficult to predict anything at the minute. No-one knows how any of the teams will do as the season restarts, but if we do look at recent results - as long ago as they were - the Robins had lost five consecutive games. Wire, however, had won their previous two. Warrington currently sit just outside of the playoff places and so a win against currently bottom-of-the-league Hull KR is absolutely essential. I don't think anyone is looking for a stunning performance in this one, just the two points.
SUPER LEAGUE ROUND EIGHT PREDICTIONS
Castleford to beat Catalans by 6-11 points
Warrington to beat Hull KR by 12-17 points
Hull FC to beat Salford by 1-5 points
Wigan to beat Wakefield by 18-23 points
St Helens to beat Leeds by 6-11 points
Daniel
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