Super League: Wigan rest Sam Tomkins for Vikings trip
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 16/06/16 7:21pm
Wigan are to rest full-back Sam Tomkins for Thursday's Super League game against Widnes, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm.
Tomkins has played in the last five matches for the Warriors after major knee surgery delayed the start of his second spell at the club but he will not be risked on the artificial surface at the Select Security Stadium after reporting some swelling in his knee following last Friday's 20-18 win at Hull KR.
The England international has yet to play on the i-pitch which was installed at Widnes in 2012. He was rested for a 37-36 defeat that year and also sat out the fixture in 2013, his final season before moving to the NRL.
"Sam had a bit of swelling after the Hull KR game so he won't play this week," said Wigan coach Shaun Wane, who will switch Lewis Tierney or Dan Sarginson to full-back.
"It's just a precaution but we won't take any risks with him.
"Lewis is going to play this week. I thought he was fantastic against Hull KR after coming in for Dan Sarginson at the last minute. He made the line break for Anthony Gelling's try and he did some other really good things too so he's going to play this Thursday."
Wane expects Sarginson to be fit for a game that will mark the 200th appearance of second rower Joel Tomkins.
There is still no place for John Bateman, who could be stranded on 99 appearances for the club amid rumours that he could be set to leave.
The former Bradford back rower has not played since reports emerged of a town centre incident on May 27 in which damage was allegedly caused to a gym but Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan has revealed the club have completed their internal investigation.
"We have reached a conclusion and will be making an announcement in the next day or so," Lenagan told the Wigan Evening Post.
Meanwhile, former Wigan prop Gil Dudson is set to return to face his old club after missing Widnes' 38-28 win over Castleford last week due to illness.
Brad Walker and Jay Chapelhow both keep their places in coach Denis Betts' 19-man squad after making their Super League debuts against the Tigers.
Widnes Vikings: Pat Ah Van, Chris Bridge, Kevin Brown, Jack Buchanan, Hep Cahill, Ed Chamberlain, Jay Chapelhow, Chris Dean, Gil Dudson, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Macgraff Leuluai, Manase Manuokafoa, Joe Mellor, Charly Runciman, Corey Thompson, Brad Walker, Lloyd White, Matt Whitley.
Wigan Warriors: Joe Bretherton, Greg Burke, Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Dom Manfredi, Lee Mossop, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Lewis Tierney, Joel Tomkins, Jack Wells and George Williams.
Watch Widnes v Wigan live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Thursday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.