Friday 8 May 2015 22:31, UK
Wigan are boosted by the return of captain Sean O’Loughlin and winger Josh Charnley for Friday’s Super League clash with Castleford Tigers at the DW Stadium.
England skipper O’Loughlin makes his long-awaited comeback from knee surgery while Charnley has recovered from the ankle injury that saw him sidelined for the Warriors’ last seven games.
O’Loughlin has missed 37 matches for the Warriors in the last three seasons, including their 42-14 defeat at Castleford in March, but returns to a side looking for a fifth straight win in their last home game for six weeks.
"Having Lockers back is a big lift," said Wigan coach Shaun Wane. "He adds a lot to our side, as everyone knows.
"He plays like he's in three positions - he does his work in the middle, hits the ball up like a front-rower and he can ball-play as well, which gives us more options and takes the pressure off Matty Smith and George Williams in the halves."
Wigan are without forward Ben Flower and Tony Clubb due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively, but Wane says prop Lee Mossop is “good to go”.
Wane described his side's round four hammering by the Tigers as "by far the worst day of my coaching career" and admits he is seeking atonement.
"They butchered us at their place and that hurt me more than anything," he said.
Castleford travel to the DW Stadium seeking a third successive Super League win. Hooker Adam Milner is back from a one-match ban and he replaces Scott Moore, who played in Sunday’s victory over Catalans with a broken foot.
Ben Roberts, Jake Webster and James Clare are also set to return after sitting out the 36-28 win over the Dragons.
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Matty Bowen, Joe Burgess, Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Liam Farrell, Ryan Hampshire, Dom Manfredi, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Sean O'Loughlin, Larne Patrick, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Joel Tomkins and George Williams.
Castleford Tigers: Ryan Bailey, Ryan Boyle, James Clare, Michael Channing, Liam Finn, Luke Gale, Ash Gibson, Lee Jewitt, Will Maher, Frankie Mariano, Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Junior Moors, Ben Roberts, Ash Robson, Michael Shenton, Jordan Tansey, Jake Webster, Scott Wheeldon.
