Team Talk: Swinton Lions (a)

The nine-time Challenge Cup winners Warrington Wolves begin their 2021 campaign with a trip to Heywood Road to take on Championship club Swinton Lions.

This week's squad news sees a very strong 21-man group named. However, there is still no Greg Inglis, while Gareth Widdop and Mike Cooper are also not included, presumably being rested. Forward Matt Davis is back from injury while Sitaleki Akauola is included too. Here is my team for Sunday's clash...

Full-Back - 17 Matty Ashton
Steve Price has already confirmed that Ashton will start against his former club, and I hope that that is in his natural role of full-back.

Winger - 2 Tom Lineham
With the left edge going so strong right now, it's probably worth keeping them together, to use this game as extra target practice for them.

Centre - 4 Toby King
Not many centres in the squad means that at least one senior centre will start - I think this will be King, for the reasons above.

Centre - 27 Connor Wrench
Wrench had a bit of a shocker in the opening day defeat to Castleford but I would like to see him brought back into the fold for this one, to get his confidence back.

Winger - 23 Josh Thewlis
A youngster who I am a big fan of, I'd like to see Thewlis involved in this game. This means a complete change on the right edge, which I am not opposed to.

Stand-Off - 6 Blake Austin
I did wonder if a youngster may get brought in for the cup game, but it looks like Austin will continue in the halves.

Scrum-Half - 1 Stefan Ratchford
Partnering Austin will be Stefan Ratchford. With no Widdop, Ratchford is the only player in the 21 to have experience of playing at 7.

Prop - 8 Chris Hill
There is a fair argument to leave Hill out to rest him, but I would start him to help Wire get on top in the middle, and ideally he will only need to do one stint.

Hooker - 16 Danny Walker
A big game for Walker - against Championship opposition he will be expected to stand up and dominate proceedings.

Prop - 19 Robbie Mulhern
No Mike Cooper in the squad means there will be at least one change in the front row. I think Mulhern is pretty much a certainty to start after two decent sub appearances.

Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
A man in good form, I'd keep Currie in the side to help keep up the dangerous left edge.

Second Row - 22 Ellis Robson
A player we've not seen any of this season despite his impressive cameos last year, this weekend is surely a chance for him.

Loose Forward - 15 Matt Davis
I have missed Davis' industry and work-rate. It'll be good to have that back in the side this weekend.

Interchange - 13 Joe Philbin
There is a case to start him, of course, but he's more effective from the bench.

Interchange - 20 Sitaleki Akauola
A forward who hasn't been seen this year but Price mentioned he could be involved this weekend.

Interchange - 21 Rob Butler
Did okay from the bench last weekend and may even start this time out.

Interchange - 9 Daryl Clark
With Walker expected to start, Clark will likely be a weapon from the bench.

Preferred Team: Ashton; Lineham, King, Wrench, Thewlis; Austin, Ratchford; Hill, Walker, Mulhern; Currie, Robson; Davis. Philbin, Akauola, Butler, D. Clark.

Predicted Team: Ashton; Lineham, King, Mamo, Charnley; Austin, Ratchford; Hill, Walker, Mulhern; Currie, Hughes; Philbin. Butler, Akauola, Robson, D. Clark.

@ALooseWire