Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils: Super League preview
Last Updated: 25/02/16 7:21pm
Shaun Wane expects his Wigan side to bounce back from their heavy defeat by Brisbane in the World Club Series when they face Salford at the DW Stadium on Thursday.
The Red Devils have lost 18 successive away matches to the Warriors since their 1997 triumph at Central Park but Wane knows they are a different proposition under Tim Sheens and Ian Watson.
"They look well coached and they beat us in a friendly in pre-season," he said.
"They've got some big names in from all over and they look totally different from the last couple of years. They look like a proper team."
Salford captain Tommy Lee says there is no secret to their success, although he admits that new Australia stand-off Robert Lui has made his mark on the club.
"He's come from a winning culture at the Cowboys and he's brought a lot of that with him," Lee said.
"He's got a lot of quality but, more than anything, he's just a great person to have around. He's had a massive impact so far and he can only get better."
The decision of the Warriors to bring the game forward 24 hours to give the newly-relaid pitch time to recover for Wigan Athletic's match on Saturday means a short turnaround for Salford but Lee is not complaining.
"We did some extra recovery on Monday and, to be honest, we're playing really well at the moment so all the lads are dying to get back out there," he said.
"There's a really good vibe around the place at the moment.
"It's obviously going to be a very tough game against Wigan, it always is, but we're just looking forward to getting out there and hopefully carrying on our recent performances."
Widnes and Salford, who both finished in the bottom four in 2015, make up the top four this time along with Hull and Warrington and Wane believes that demonstrates the new competitiveness of Super League.
"More teams are equally-matched throughout the competition," he said. "The table does look a bit odd and I think it will carry on like that for a few weeks."
Wane has made three unforced changes to his 19-man squad, with Michael McIlorum, Willie Isa and Josh Charnley ruled out due to injury.
Lee Mossop, Nick Gregson and Joe Bretherton replaced the injured trio with Wane confirming Isa faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.
Junior Sa'u is retained in Salford's squad after his late introduction for the win over Widnes, while Jordan Walne is included for the first time this season.
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Joe Bretherton, Gregg Burke, Tony Clubb, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Oliver Gildart, Nick Gregson, Dom Manfredi, Lee Mossop, Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Lewis Tierney, George Williams.
Salford Red Devils: Justin Carney, Michael Dobson, Niall Evalds, Mark Flanagan, George Griffin, Josh Griffin, Greg Johnson, Josh Jones, Craig Kopzcak, Olsi Krasniqi, Ryan Lannon, Tommy Lee, Robert Lui, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Gareth O'Brien, Matt Sarsfield, Junior Sa'u, Logan Tomkins, Jordan Walne.