Super League preview: Wigan Warriors v Hull KR
Wigan Warriors have made four changes to their squad for Friday's Super League clash at home to Hull KR.
By Sam Drury
Last Updated: 02/08/13 7:33pm
With the Giants not playing until Sunday, the Warriors know victory over Rovers at the DW Stadium will take them above the West Yorkshire side and two points clear of Warrington, who also play on Sunday.
Rovers, meanwhile, can move up to fifth in the standings with a win on Friday, ahead of Catalan Dragons and increasing the gap to St Helens below them to three points.
Wigan go into the match on a high having demolished London Broncos on Saturday to reach the Challenge Cup final but lost their last Super League encounter to fierce rivals St Helens.
Hull KR meanwhile will hope to improve on their last outing when they were comfortably seen off by Warrington, 34-6.
Changes
Shaun Wade makes four changes to his 19-man squad with Gil Dudson, Liam Farrell, Pat Richards and Iain Thornley the players to miss out.
Dudson is suffering from a slight hip injury but fears over the fitness of Ben Flower have been eased as the Welshman is included in the match squad. Also included is 18-year-old centre Joe Burgess, who is involved for the first time whilst Epalahame Lauaki returns after injury.
Keal Carlile replaces Graeme Horne in the only alteration to the Hull KR squad from their defeat to the Wolves.
Wigan Warriors: Burgess, Charnley, Crosby, Flower, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hansen, Hughes, Lauaki, McIlorum, Mossop, O'Loughlin, Powell, Smith, Taylor, L Tomkins, S Tomkins, Tuson
Hull KR: Salter, Netherton, Walker, Gleeson, Tuimavave, Cox, Mika, Burns, Carlile, Beaumont, Hall, Paea, D Hodgson, Lovegrove, Dobson, Withers, Eden, Hepi, J Hodgson