This will be the team's first hit-out of 2021, though the Wire did take part in a contested scrimmage session with Widnes Vikings last week. The squad news features the inclusion of the three new signings - Greg Inglis, Rob Butler and Robbie Mulhern, though there have been a few whispers about whether Inglis will play or not. In terms of exclusions though, there is no Mike Cooper, with a possible recurrence of the back issue he suffered last year, while Matt Davis misses out with a hamstring injury and there is also no Sitaleki Akauola, leaving the Wire somewhat light in the forwards department, naming a 23-man-squad, with everyone likely to play some part in the match, with Steve Price likely to take advantage of unlimited interchanges. So, here's my lineup...
Full-Back - 1 Stefan Ratchford
After being handed the number one shirt again, it looks for sure that Ratchford will maintain his role at full-back.
Winger - 2 Tom Lineham
Assuming he starts on the wing, as would be expected, this will be Lineham's first match since September.
Assuming he starts on the wing, as would be expected, this will be Lineham's first match since September.
Centre - 4 Toby King
One of Wire's players of 2020, he will be happy to be reunited with Lineham on the edge.
Centre - 18 Jake Mamo
I don't think Inglis' long-awaited debut will come in this one, so I'm predicting Mamo to start at centre instead of him.
Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
Charnley missed part of pre-season with his shoulder injury, so it isn't certain that he'll be available for this one, though has been included in the squad.
Stand-Off - 6 Blake Austin
Austin will begin his third year at the club on Friday night and it will be interesting to see how his partnership with Gareth Widdop has evolved over pre-season.
Scrum-Half - 7 Gareth Widdop
Not many people expected Widdop to still be at Wire but he is. Let's see how he starts on Friday.
Prop - 8 Chris Hill
The man of the moment will obviously start on his big night and will hope to have a good game on a day that is all about him.
Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
Always the player I look forward to watching most. With the World Cup in November, he'll be looking for a big year leading into it.
Prop - 13 Joe Philbin
No Cooper, so a change to the regular front row. I expect Philbin to play there.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
After signing a new deal at the club in November, Currie will be an automatic pick in the back row this season.
Second Row - 12 Jack Hughes
The new Warrington captain's first game as skipper will be this one - a big night for him.
Loose Forward - 14 Jason Clark
It's not certain who will be the regular loose forward this season, with Philbin being given the 13 shirt. But I expect Clark will carry on in his role from the last two years.
Interchanges - Matty Ashton, Rob Butler, Eribe Doro, Robbie Mulhern, Ellis Robson, Nathan Roebuck, Josh Thewlis, Danny Walker, Connor Wrench.
What are we looking to see from this game? Some entertainment in terms of the style of play and hopefully an insight into what we're likely to see in 2021, both in terms of personnel and tactics. Leigh are an interesting opponent, as they are the newly-promoted team, but have quality, as shown with their win over St Helens in Tommy Makinson's testimonial at the weekend. Warrington also face them in Round Two of Super League on 2nd April, so both teams may look to hold something back ahead of that match. Wire's forwards are depleted in terms of numbers so a larger interchange bench will be welcomed for this fixture, which has been put back by a day due to player availability issues.
Finally, this game is all about one man: Chris Hill. I have been rightly critical of Hill in the last three seasons as his performance levels have sadly declined but he has been a terrific servant to the club since joining in 2012 from Leigh, Friday's opponents. The prop has made 268 appearances for Wire and won three Challenge Cups and a League Leaders' Shield in that time, as well as playing in two other Wembley finals and four Grand Finals as well. He has always worn his heart on his sleeve and given everything for the club, representing it superbly. He is out of contract at the end of the year, so it is likely this will be his last year it the club. If that is the case, let's hope the fanbase get behind his testimonial match and events through the year to support a modern-day Warrington legend.
@ALooseWire
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