SL Preview: Hull v Wigan (Fri)

Wigan are without six regulars, including captain Sean O’Loughlin, Josh Charnley and Liam Farrell, for the trip to Hull on Friday night.

Full-back Matty Bowen is another withdrawal, leaving the Warriors without a specialist full-back, due to injuries to youngsters Ryan Hampshire and Lewis Tierney.

Shaun Wane is set to turn to Dan Sarginson or Anthony Gelling to plug the gap. Academy products Ryan Sutton, Dom Manfredi and Connor Farrell are also included in the squad.

Hull have recalled Richard Horne and Richard Whiting, with Jordan Rankin and Dean Hadley missing out.

Prop Garreth Carvell is pushing for inclusion in the match day line-up, having been dropped from the team for last week’s defeat to Wakefield.

Coach Lee Radford has also been boosted by the news that Joe Westerman has not broken a wrist, and is available for selection.

It is Hull’s last home game for several weeks, due to scheduled work on the pitch at the KC Stadium.

Hull 19-man squad: Bowden, Carvell, Crookes, Crooks, Colbon, Ellis, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Miller, Paea, Paleaaesina, Shaul, Talanoa, Thompson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.

Wigan 19-man squad: Bateman, Burgess, Clubb, Crosby, Dudson, C Farrell, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hughes, James, Manfredi, McIlorum, S Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Sutton, Taylor, Williams.

Prediction: Hull will want to leave their home fans for a few weeks on a high note, but Wigan may not be so generous – Warriors by 10.

Stats:

Wigan have won their last four away meetings with Hull FC. The Black & Whites’ last home win against the Warriors was 18-10 on 13 February, 2009.

Milestone:

IAFETA PALEA’AESINA needs one appearance to reach 200 whilst in the British game. Palea’aesina has played for Wigan (145 games, 2006-2010), Salford (45 games, 2011-2012) and current club Hull FC (9 games, 2014).

SCOTT TAYLOR needs one appearance to reach 100 for his career. Taylor has played 39 games for Wigan since 2013, and was previously with Hull KR – where he made 52 appearances (2009-2012). Whilst with the Warriors, he also made 2013 dual-registration appearances for Leigh (2) and South Wales Scorpions (2). Taylor also played 2012 representative games for England (1) and England Knights (3).

CHRIS TUSON needs one appearance to reach 100 for his career. Tuson has played 7 games in his first season for Hull FC, and was previously with Wigan – where he made 83 appearances (2008 & 2010-2013). He also played loan games for Blackpool (1) and Castleford (8) in 2010. 

Super League summary:

Hull FC won 8

Wigan won 29 (includes wins in 2001 and 2007 play-offs)

2 draws

Hull FC highest score: 54-12 (H, 2006) (also widest margin)

Wigan highest score: 66-6 (H, 2008) (also widest margin)