Wigan Warriors welcome back hooker for Wakefield clash 

Wigan Warriors hooker Brad O’Neill returns from his one-match suspension and has been named in the 21-man squad to take on Wakefield this Sunday.

It is the fourth time the two sides have met this year.

O’Neill, 20, successfully challenged a Match Review Panel decision and saw his initial two match suspension for Grade C contact with a match official downgraded to Grade B. He missed last Friday’s victory over Warrington at the DW Stadium.

The side are still without first choice hooker Sam Powell, who continues to be sidelined with a foot injury.

O’Neill’s inclusion is the only change made by Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet. He replaces Junior Nsemba in the 21-man squad.

Iain Thornley, Tommy Leuluai, Ethan Havard and John Bateman all stil remain sidelined through injury. 

Wakefield make two changes

Wakefield boss Willie Poching has made two changes to his side for Sunday’s home fixture.

Jack Croft and Harry Bowes have been included. The pair replace Isaac Shaw and Rhys Evans in the squad.

The Belle Vue side have a long list of injuries heading into the Round 23 tie. Max Jowitt, Tom Johnstone, Reece Lynne, Jay Pitts, Liam Kay and Jorge Taufua are all currently sidelined.

Trinity currently sit two points ahead of Toulouse and could further extend that gap if they can beat the 2022 Challenge Cup winners this Sunday. Sylvain Houles’ side fell to a 32-18 away defeat to Warrington on Thursday.

Wigan: French, Bibby, Marshall, Cust, Singleton, Mago, Isa, Farrell, Smithies, Ellis, Smith, Partington, Byrne, Pearce-Paul, Shorrocks, Field, Miski, Halsall, O’Neill, Cooper, Hill. 

Wakefield: Miller, Lino, Battye, Hood, Arona, Ashurst, Tanginoa, Crowther, Whitbread, Batchelor, Gaskell, Kershaw, Croft, Walker, Aydin, Bowes, Murphy, Hall, Fifita, Bowden, Shaul. 

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