Warrington name youngster for debut as Catalans without key players

Warrington academy product Lucas Green has been named on the bench and could make his debut against Catalans Dragons in Rivals Round. 

Green, a back-rower, joined the club’s academy in August 2021 after progressing through the scholarship system.

Josh McGuire has been named at starting loose forward for his first Super League appearance. The international makes his return from his seven-match ban picked up in pre-season.

Sam Kasiano also returns from suspension, named on the bench, with Joe Philbin and Greg Minikin completing the interchanges.

Gil Dudson has been named to start against his former club, having spent two seasons in France with Catalans. Josh Drinkwater will also face his former club for the first time since making the move to Warrington.

Peter Mata’utia returns to the centres, having been named at loose forward against Hull last week, going on to claim a 34-6 victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Daryl Powell remains without Daryl Clark, with Danny Walker named at starting hooker.

Josh Thewlis gets the nod over Matty Russell on the wing.

Catalans without key men

Catalans are without a handful of key players including playmakers Sam Tomkins and Mitchell Pearce.

20-year-old Tanguy Zenon, who only signed his first professional contract this week, has been named at full-back for the hosts. 

Ugo Tison, 21, also signed his first contract and has been named on the bench. The pair signed contracts until the end of 2025.

Tonga captain Siua Taukeiaho has been named for just his second appearance on the bench after making the switch during the off-season from the NRL. He is joined by Mickael Goudemand and Jordan Dezaria on the bench. 

Arthur Mourgue partners Adam Keighran in the halves, with back-rower Matt Whitley named in the centres.

Catalans: Zenon, Davis, Romano, Whitley, Johnstone, Keighran, Mourgue, Navarrete, Da Costa, Bousquet, McMeeken, Seguier, Garcia. Bench: Goudemand, Taukeiaho, Dezaria, Tison. 18: Chan. 

Warrington: Dufty, Thewlis, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Ashton, Williams, Drinkwater, Dudson, Walker, Vaughan, Currie, Nicholson, McGuire. Bench: Kasiano, Philbin, Minikin, Green. 18: Whitehead.

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