Wolves v Warriors: Teams
Second take on first when Tony Smith's Warrington host local rivals Wigan in Saturday's sole Stobart Super League match.
Last Updated: 10/08/12 4:13pm
Second take on first when Tony Smith's Warrington host local rivals Wigan in Saturday's sole Stobart Super League match.
Just three points separate the sides and victory for the Wolves would take them within a point of Shaun Wane's pace-setters.
Prop Garreth Carvell and loose forward Ben Harrison return to a full-strength team after being rested for the win over St Helens.
Head coach Smith admits Wigan deserve to be top of the league with Sam Tomkins leading from the front.
"They're not sitting in number one by coincidence," he said. "They deserve to be there.
"They've a formula they like to play by and then you throw Sam Tomkins on top of that. He can produce some of the most spectacular rugby league, the most dangerous rugby league of any player in the world at times.
"That's exciting and I love watching Sam play. We'll be doing everything we can to keep him as quiet as possible and that's all you can do.
"I don't think you can take Sam away from playing good rugby league. Even on days when he's quieter than others, he still plays well."
Impressive
Wigan have centre Darrell Goulding back after recovering from concussion while forwards Ben Flower and Paul Prescott return in place of Harrison Hansen and Chris Tuson, who picked up knocks in the win over Hull.
With Brett Finch still sidelined with hamstring trouble, Sam Powell looks set to keep his place after an impressive debut.
Coach Wane has pinpointed evergreen stand-off Lee Briers as the main threat to his side.
Briers, who was a tryscorer in his side's 22-20 win at the DW Stadium in March, was in superb form in the Wolves' convincing 22-12 victory over St Helens on Monday.
"I was really impressed with Warrington on Monday," Wane said. "Our aim on Saturday is to go set for set with them and not allow them to get into a lead which is what we look to do.
"In the first 25 minutes I am expecting the score to be really low. Lee Briers and Richie Myler are the two main players, especially Lee. A lot of Warrington's quality comes through him."
Warrington squad: Atkins, Briers, Carvell, Cooper, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Hodgson, McCarthy, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Morley, Myler, Ratchford, Riley, Waterhouse, Westwood, Wood.
Wigan squad: Carmont, Charnley, Crosby, Farrell, Flower, Goulding, Hock, Hughes, Lauaki, Lima, McIlorum, Mossop, O'Loughlin, Powell, Prescott, Smith, Spencer, Thornley, S. Tomkins.