Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors: Adrian Lam primed for 'massive game' in Barcelona
By Sky Sports Rugby League
Last Updated: 18/05/19 2:50pm
Adrian Lam is under no illusion about the importance of Wigan Warriors' clash with Catalans Dragons in Barcelona as his side seek to climb the Super League table.
The Warriors go into Saturday's match at the Nou Camp, which is live on Sky Sports Arena, sitting eighth in the standings and having suffered a narrow defeat away to Warrington Wolves in the Coral Challenge Cup last Sunday.
Head coach Lam has made no secret of how much Wigan need a victory over the Catalans, who are currently in the top four following an upturn in fortunes after a patchy start to the 2019 season.
"It's a massive game for us because they are sitting joint-third and we need to climb the ladder," Lam said. "It's a must-win for us.
"We've improved ever so much over the last four weeks and I think we are in a new place performing as a team I'm looking forward to how we respond this weekend against Catalans.
"We are half way through the season, we're not where we want to be in the ladder.
"What's been good is that senior players have come back, there is a lot of positivity in the camp and we are going to have the opportunity to have the same team for a number of weeks in a row now."
The only change to Wigan's 19-man squad for the historic trip to Barcelona from the cup defeat to Warrington is former Dragons player Morgan Escare coming in for Jake Shorrocks, who has a shoulder injury.
Willie Isa, Oliver Gildart and George Williams have overcome minor injuries too, with Liam Farrell and Jarrod Sammut expected to return in the coming weeks.
Catalans have several ex-Wigan players in their squad, but one of those, Sam Tomkins, will not be facing his former side after suffering a back injury in last Saturday's Challenge Cup win at home to Doncaster.
Matty Smith is still recovering from a bicep injury as well, but Lewis Tierney and Michael McIlorum are both included in Dragons head coach Steve McNamara's squad.
Catalans Dragons 19-man squad: Tony Gigot, David Mead, Brayden Wiliame, Lewis Tierney, Samisoni Langi, Remi Casty, Michael McIlorum, Sam Moa, Kenny Edwards, Benjamin Garcia, Greg Bird, Julian Bosquet, Mikael Simon, Benjamin Julien, Matt Whitley, Alrix da Costa, Jason Baitieri, Fouad Yaha, Sam Kasiano.
Wigan Warriors 19-man squad: Joe Bullock, Joe Burgess, Tony Clubb, Morgan Escare, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Joe Greenwood, Chris Hankinson, Zak Hardaker, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarrete, Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Morgan Smithies, Taulima Tautai, George Williams.
