Wigan suffer devastating early injury blow during Challenge Cup tie

Wigan will play with 16 men for the remainder of their Challenge Cup sixth round tie with Leeds at Headingley Stadium.

Starting prop forward Ethan Havard was forced from the field inside the opening seven minutes with an elbow injury.

BBC reporter Tanya Arnold said during the live coverage from the sidelines: “It was a horrible injury, he has dislocated his elbow.

“It took some time to get back into place and his afternoon is over.”

Havard, 22, has featured in every game in Super League for the Warriors so far in 2023, scoring two tries. 

It is another blow to Matt Peet’s forward pack, with Brad Singleton currently sidelined through a hamstring injury and Mike Cooper ruled out for the rest of the year.

Kai Pearce-Paul also confirmed an injury on social media, while Willie Isa suffered a hamstring blow during last week’s defeat. 

Wigan do welcome back ex-NRL prop Kaide Ellis from injury, named on the bench ahead of kick-off.

YTB’s 🍒⚪️ Rocky back 🔥Gutted to miss out for a while through injury but that’s Rugby. https://t.co/jqjvBf8n9a

— Kai (@KaipearcePaul) May 20, 2023

Rohan Smith’s Leeds, who handed Wigan their fourth Super League loss last Friday with a 40-18 score at the DW Stadium, lead 6-0 at home.

Prop Tom Holroyd powering over under the sticks to open the scoring, with back-rower Rhyse Martin adding the extras. 

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