Team Talk: Catalans Dragons

Warrington will look to continue their winning run with a Super League fixture at home to the Catalans Dragons, who sit just outside of the playoffs, on Friday night.

Wire's squad news this week is dominated by the return of Gareth Widdop after his three-match long absence, and he will presumably come straight back into the side. There is no place for Stefan Ratchford though, who is given a deserved rest after starting every fixture this season. Tom Lineham continues his ban, and there is no place for Sitaleki Akauola or Luis Johnson. Other than that, it is much the same for Friday's fixture at the Halliwell Jones. Here is my team...

Full Back - 26 Matty Ashton
With Stefan Ratchford rested, Ashton is a dead cert to keep his place at full-back.

Winger - 17 Jake Mamo
Mamo put in a good performance on the wing at the weekend and will remain there for this one.

Centre - 4 Toby King
King is back at home in the centres after his spell in the second row - his defensive contributions could be key here.

Centre - 3 Anthony Gelling
Gelling was arguably Wire's best player against St Helens, so it will be interesting to see if he maintains that form.

Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
It looks like Josh Charnley is hitting form as the business end of the season approaches, which is excellent news for Wire.

Stand-Off - 6 Blake Austin
Austin will be reunited with Widdop on Friday night and it will be intriguing to see whether Austin continues to play as well, or, as some have suggested, whether he struggles sharing the creative responsibility.

Scrum-Half - 7 Gareth Widdop
While results have been superb in Widdop's absence, he will still go straight back in. He will provide a bit more organisation and threat to the left side.

Prop - 8 Chris Hill
Hill had a good game at the weekend but gave away a silly penalty, still, I expect him to keep his place.

Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
It looks like Daryl Clark is starting to get to form just at the right time. Very, very exciting.

Prop - 10 Mike Cooper
Cooper has been a monster of late, and in a game likely to be dominated by the forwards, he will help Wire get on the front foot.

Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
Currie was a little quiet at the weekend but I don't expect him to miss out here.

Second Row - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
There is a case to be made that Jack Hughes should partner Currie, but I still feel strongly that Murdoch-Masila should be utilised as a starting second rower.

Loose Forward - 12 Jack Hughes
Which leaves Hughes to play at 13. He missed a couple of tackles at the weekend so will need a more all-round performance.

Interchange - 14 Jason Clark
Clark's work without the ball is excellent and will be useful in the second phase of the game.

Interchange - 15 Joe Philbin
The best interchange in Super League will be a key part of this game that is likely to be decided by the forwards.

Interchange - 19 Matt Davis
Davis is such a good player and is showing every week why Wire should look to keep him next season.

Interchange - 20 Danny Walker
Walker's quick darts and scoots have become part and parcel of Wire's interchange this season and I expect that to continue here.

This is a very, very important game. Wire can all but secure their playoff place by damaging Catalans' league position and improving their own. Catalans, in typical Catalans fashion, have been inconsistent this season but at times have been scintillating and with the likes of Sam Tomkins and Israel Folau in the team, have some impeccable talent. As always with the Dragons, the task will be about controlling their forward pack and trying to get on the front foot in terms of yardage. Because this is such an important game, I expect Wire to name as strong a team as possible, barring the rested Ratchford, before mass changes and restings for the Salford league game on Tuesday ahead of the cup semi-final. I think this is likely to be quite a close game which Wire should just have the edge in. 

Predictions
Leeds to beat Hull KR by 18-23
Hull FC to beat Salford by 6-11
Castleford to beat Huddersfield by 1-5
Warrington to beat Catalans by 6-11
Wigan to beat Wakefield by 42-47

@ALooseWire