Team Talk: Huddersfield Giants

Warrington are playing a match! Steve Price's team take on Catalans Salford Huddersfield on Friday night as the 2020 season nears its conclusion.

After cancellations of matches against Catalans and Salford, Huddersfield have replaced the latter as Friday's opponents, with Wire looking to win at the Totally Wicked Stadium and strengthen their grip on a top-four spot. There is a return to the squad for Ben Murdoch-Masila, though Tom Lineham doesn't make it - more clarity is needed on whether the two cancelled matches count towards his ban or not. Matty Ashton isn't involved, presumably being rested, while Jake Mamo is still injured. Here is my team to face the Giants...

Full-Back - 1 Stefan Ratchford
With no Matty Ashton this one is fairly academic. Ratchford will be in his usual spot.

Winger - 29 Josh Thewlis
No Ashton, Mamo or Lineham, so I think Price will choose between youngsters Josh Thewlis and Nathan Roebuck for the wing spot.

Centre - 4 Toby King
One of Wire's best players all season, King will be looking to continue his good form here.

Centre - 3 Anthony Gelling
Gelling is so hit and miss with his performances, but we're due a good one.

Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
The much-neglected Josh Charnley will continue on the wing - can he please get some service?

Stand-Off - 6 Blake Austin
Austin was rested for the win over Leeds last time out, but will be back for this one.

Scrum-Half - 7 Gareth Widdop
It's getting to the business end of the year now, and it's essential that Austin and Widdop start to click. Will this be the day?

Prop - 8 Chris Hill
Leading the team out will be Chris Hill, who has been excellent in recent weeks.

Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
Clark looks to be hitting form just at the right time, which is what is keeping me interested in the rest of this season.

Prop - 10 Mike Cooper
Possibly the most consistent prop in Super League this season, Cooper is an automatic pick for Wire.

Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
Currie has a good recent record against Huddersfield and will be looking to make the runs on the shoulder of Widdop.

Second Row - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Murdoch-Masila is far more effective when starting than on the bench, it's an absolute myth that he can't do 80 minutes too. I want to see him in the second row for the whole game on Friday.

Loose Forward - 12 Jack Hughes
Which means a change of role for Jack Hughes, who hasn't looked great in the last few weeks. I liked him at 13 earlier and the season and would love to see him there again.

Interchange - 15 Joe Philbin
The first few bench spots pretty much pick themselves, Philbin certainly does.

Interchange - 14 Jason Clark
Hughes at loose forward means that Jason Clark drops to the bench.

Interchange - 19 Matt Davis
Davis has been effective in the later stages of games so I expect to see him involved.

Interchange - 27 Ellis Robson
After signing for a further two years this week, I think we'll see plenty more of Robson in the coming games.

It's hard to know what to expect when Wire haven't played for more than two weeks and there's been a change of opponent so close to gameday. Still, Huddersfield haven't got anything to play for and though they have Aidan Sezer, one of the best players in the competition this season, Wire should still have enough motivation and quality to get the job done. It would be great to see some attacking structure and ideas on fifth plays near the opposition line - something we have sorely lacked this season.

@ALooseWire