SUPER 8S PREVIEW: Wigan v Huddersfield

Wigan and Huddersfield kick off the Super 8s with what could be a cracking game at the DW Stadium.

The Giants eventually finished in fourth place in the regular season, but are yet to really fire in the entertaining way that they are capable of doing.

That ability they have to grind out results could be crucial as we approach knockout football, though.

Wigan will be desperate to start well, as they are keen for glory this season, and would love to make up for last year’s Grand Final defeat to St Helens.

The Warriors are boosted by the return of Dom Manfredi, following a month out. Larne Patrick also returns to add reinforcement to the forward pack.

Ryan Sutton and Ryan Hampshire drop out of Shaun Wane’s squad.

Scott Grix and Joe Wardle are recalled to the Giants colours by coach Paul Anderson, with Jodie Broughton and Nathan Mason missing out.

Wigan (19-man squad): Bateman, Bowen, Burgess, Charnley, Clubb, Crosby, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Manfredi, McIlorum, Mossop, O’Loughlin, Patrick, Powell, Smith, Tautai, J Tomkins, Williams.

Huddersfield Giants (19-man squad): Grix, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Murphy, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Huby, Hughes, Bailey, Lawrence, Kopczak, Ta’ai, Ellis, Leeming, Roberts, Simpson, Smith.

Super League Summary:

Wigan won 25 (includes wins in 2013 and 2014 play-offs)
Huddersfield won 14
Wigan highest score: 68-6 (H, 2000) (also widest margin)
Huddersfield highest score: 48-16 (H, 2009) (also widest margin)

Last 10 Meetings:

Huddersfield 18, Wigan 32 (SLR17, 7/6/15)
Wigan 24, Huddersfield 16 (SLR2, 13/2/15)
Wigan 57, Huddersfield 4 (SLQPO, 18/9/14)
Huddersfield 31, Wigan 22 (SLR15, 29/5/14)
Wigan 8, Huddersfield 24 (SLR1, 7/2/14)
Huddersfield 8, Wigan 22 (SLQPO, 12/9/13)
Wigan 12, Huddersfield 30 (SLR24, 9/8/13)
Huddersfield 22, Wigan 10 (SLR3, 16/2/13)
Huddersfield 12, Wigan 32 (SLR14, 18/5/12)
Wigan 16, Huddersfield 20 (SLR1, 5/2/12)