Warrington travel to the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday in their biggest game of 2020 so far as they take on Salford in the Challenge Cup semi-final.
There are no surprises in the squad news, with all first-team regulars returning after a much-changed side took to the field against the same opponents on Tuesday. The only absentee is Tom Lineham, who continues his eight-match ban. Here is my team...
Full-Back - 26 Matty Ashton
My first big call. I hope Ashton continues his run at full-back, which will mean a change in role for Stefan Ratchford. More on that later.
Winger - 17 Jake Mamo
With Lineham still banned, Mamo is likely to continue on the wing, unless Price puts Ashton there, which I think is probably unlikely.
Centre - 4 Toby King
King has been one of the best centres in Super League this season, but it has been Challenge Cup semi-finals when he has come to the fore. Will he add 2020 to 2019, 2018 and 2016?
Centre - 3 Anthony Gelling
Gelling has hit form recently and is becoming an important player for the team because of his physicality and aggression in the centres. No doubt he plays.
Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
It was two tries for Charnley in the quarters that helped get Wire this far, and you wouldn't back against him bagging a score in the semis too.
Stand-Off - 6 Blake Austin
Austin ran the semi-final last year against Hull FC and his game management and kicking game will be vitally important in this match.
Scrum-Half - 7 Gareth Widdop
Widdop's big-game experience and knowhow will play a big part in this one. If Ashton is at full-back, Widdop's ability to find Ashton or Currie on the break could be exciting.
Prop - 8 Chris Hill
Hill will be looking to lead his team to a fourth Challenge Cup final under his captaincy. If Salford are weak in any area, it is the forward pack, so Hill and Cooper will need to capitalise.
Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
The main man at number nine. He saves his best performances for the big games and it would not be a surprise to see Clark get man of the match in this one.
Prop - 10 Mike Cooper
Arguably Wire's player of the season will be key in the forwards battle. His offloading ability will cause havoc for Salford's line defence.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
Currie has had a quiet few games lately but has been outstanding for the most part in 2020 and will be looking to repeat his try scoring feat in last year's semi.
Second Row - 12 Jack Hughes
The co-captain will be key in his defensive efforts, particularly near Wire's line. Very important component.
Loose Forward - 1 Stefan Ratchford
So, here it is. This is how I think we fit Ashton and Ratchford in the team. Ratchford played at 13 against Hull FC last month and was excellent, making 41 tackles and not putting a foot wrong. Having a ball-player and a good passer of the ball at loose forward could work really well I think.
Interchange - 15 Joe Philbin
The best interchange in Super League will be used in the second phase of the match to try and create some broken field.
Interchange - 14 Jason Clark
It's harsh for someone who has had such a good season as Jason Clark to be dropped, but if we are to fit Ashton and Ratchford in, there will be sacrifices.
Interchange - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
And Murdoch-Masila is another of them. There is no way Jack Hughes won't start, and loose forward will be occupied by either Ratchford or Jason Clark, so he'll have to make do with a bench spot for this one.
Interchange - 19 Matt Davis
A player who always impresses me. Davis' pace, quick-thinking and work-rate is exceptional and it'll be between him and Danny Walker for the fourth interchange spot. But I think Davis should get the nod as he can cover 8, 9, 10 and 13.
While I hope to see this lineup, I actually expect Price to play it safe, as he often has done in the big games, and stick with Ratchford at full-back with Ashton dropping to the bench. This would allow Ratchford to move to 9 when Daryl Clark is spelled and Ashton to cover Ratchford at 1. Even if Price’s long-term thinking, like mine, is to play Ratchford at 13 and Ashton at 1, I’m not sure we’ll see it this weekend.
This is the biggest game Wire have faced so far in 2020 and are 80 minutes away from a third consecutive Challenge Cup Final and a fourth in fifth years. While Salford are the underdogs, they have had Wire's number in recent times, winning the last four meetings (albeit one of those was the match on Tuesday which featured none of Wire's first-teamers). It's a tricky match but Salford without Niall Evalds are a different prospect and I think we will have too much quality for Ian Watson's side. The Challenge Cup is the competition we always turn up in, so I feel pretty confident. That loss to Salford on Tuesday was our first since February, and it's time to start the business end of the season in style by booking a place at Wembley on the 17th.
@ALooseWire
No comments:
Post a Comment