Wigan suffer huge fresh Jai Field injury blow as team news for Warrington clash confirmed

Wigan Warriors will be without star full-back Jai Field for Friday’s huge home clash against Warrington Wolves – after he was ruled out with an injury.

Just as is the case with opponents Warrington, the Warriors were already coming into the game with a number of key absentees.

Half-back Jack Farrimond, back-rower Junior Nsemba and outside-back Nathan Lowe had all already been ruled out following last week’s bruising 16-14 Magic Weekend victory over rivals St Helens at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

That trio joined an injury list that includes other key players such as Bevan French and Liam Farrell – and now, another of Matt Peet’s standout men has been added to the list.

That man is Field, who has failed to make it for a huge clash against Sam Burgess’ Wire. The Australian star’s injury has not yet been disclosed, but rumours have circled that it is hamstring-related.

The one bit of positive news for Wigan is the return of influential front-rower Luke Thompson, who is fit enough to occupy a spot on the bench.

Thompson missed last weekend’s derby victory over Saints through ligament problems, and had been expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks, but has made a swift recovery.

In the Wire camp, Lachlan Webster is moved to full-back as Marc Sneyd drops out of the halves, replaced by teenager Ewan Irwin.

Playmaker Irwin played full-back last weekend at Magic as the Wolves were well beaten by Leigh Leopards, but now returns to his more traditional role in the halves.

Elsewhere, Toby King and Toafofoa Sipley return from injury lay-offs. Young hooker Ben Hartill meanwhile takes a place on the bench, replacing suspended ex-Warriors man Sam Powell.

Wigan: Josh Cartwright, Zach Eckersley, George O’Loughlin, Jake Wardle, Austin Daniel, Adam Keighran, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Kian McDermott, Lukas Mason, Oliver Partington, Kaide Ellis; Bench: Luke Thompson, Paddy Mago, Taylor Kerr, Shea O’Connor; 18th Man: Sam Eseh

Warrington: Lachlan Webster, Albert Hopoate, Josh Smith, Toby King, Matty Ashton, Ewan Irwin, Leon Hayes, Luke Thomas, Danny Walker, Liam Byrne, James Bentley, James Harrison, Ben Currie; Bench: Toafofoa Sipley, Max Wood, Ben Hartill, Kelepi Tanginoa; 18th Man: Adam Holroyd