SL preview: Wigan v Hull FC (Fri)

Wigan head coach Shaun Wane has named a youthful squad for Friday’s home clash against Hull FC.

With a number of players suffering minor injuries and knocks in last week’s cup final – against the same opposition – changes are plentiful.

The squad includes youngsters Lewis Tierney, Ryan Hampshire, Joe Burgess, George Williams, James Greenwood and Dominic Manfredi. Ex-Wales rugby union international Andy Powell is also included.

Hull FC head coach Peter Gentle has made four changes to the squad that was defeated by the Warriors at Wembley last week.

Josh Bowden, Dean Hadley, Paul Johnson and Liam Kent are drafted into the 19-man party for the trip across the M62 as Hull look for their fourth consecutive win in the competition.

The quartet replace the injured Gareth Ellis, Andy Lynch and Mark O’Meley, while former New Zealand hooker Aaron Heremaia is suspended.

Wigan 19-man squad: Burgess, Crosby, Dudson, Flower, Gelling, Greenwood, Hughes, Hampshire, Lloyd, Manfredi, A. Powell, S. Powell, Taylor, Thornley, Tierney, L. Tomkins, Tuson, Spencer, Williams.

Hull FC 19-man squad: T. Briscoe, Bowden, Crookes, Crooks, Green, Hadley, Horne, Houghton, Holdsworth, Johnson, Kent, Miller, Pitts, Shaul, Tickle, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.

Prediction: Home win.

Stats:

Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final victory was Wigan’s ninth win in a row against Hull FC, with the Black and Whites’ last win against the Warriors coming 18-10 at the KC Stadium on 13 February, 2009.

The Warriors have also won their last seven home games against Hull FC, with the Black and Whites’ last away win against Wigan coming 28-24 on 10 June, 2005.

Sam Tomkins has scored tries in Wigan’s last five meetings with Hull FC as follows: 2-1-2-2-1.

He has scored points in all of his games against the Black and Whites, only failing to score a try in the Warriors’ 14-12 home win on 13 March, 2011. He did kick one goal in that game however. Tomkins has a total of thirteen tries in nine career games against Hull FC.

2013 meetings –

Hull FC 0, Wigan 16 (Challenge Cup Final, 24/8/13 at Wembley Stadium)

– Hull FC 20, Wigan 28 (SLR13, 26/4/13)

Super League summary:

Wigan won 29 (includes wins in 2001 & 2007 play-offs)

Hull FC won 7

2 draws

Wigan highest score: 66-6 (H, 2008) (also widest margin)

Hull FC highest score: 54-12 (H, 2006) (also widest margin)