Warrington Wolves talking points before Round 13 Wigan clash

And with both sides locked together at the top of the table, who will take the chance to edge ahead before they do battle in next weekend’s Challenge Cup Final?

Our Wire reporter Matt Turner picks out five key pre-match talking points ahead of the Round 13 clash at The Halliwell Jones Stadium…

The lowest-key “Wigan Week” for a while

This is one of Super League’s marquee games and by this point, excitement within the town is at fever pitch in preparation for the neighbours’ arrival.

You only have to look at Wigan’s visit last year when both sides were in excellent form – the rarely-used “sold out” signs had to be dusted off and hung outside The Halliwell Jones Stadium as the game enticed a record crowd for the venue.

The teams are in similarly superb shape now ahead of their long-awaited first meeting of the year and are both involved in a three-way tie at the top of the table along with St Helens.

However, the build-up to this one has been very low-key – understandable, given what lies ahead.

The two Challenge Cup finalists facing each other a week before stepping out at Wembley certainly gives a strange and awkward dynamic.

The big day in London is certainly prevalent in minds, but there is work to be done first.

A sold-out crowd watched Wire lose 13-6 to Wigan when they last visited The Halliwell Jones Stadium (Image: Mike Boden)

Burgess’ priorities are clear

Points or preservation – it is certainly a difficult balance to strike for Sam Burgess and his Wigan counterpart Matty Peet this week.

Based on the 21-man squad Burgess has selected, however, it appears he has leant pretty heavily towards the latter.

Some decisions have been made for him in terms of George Williams’ suspension and Joe Philbin’s injury, but the vast majority of his first-team stars have been taken out of the firing line.

In all, Burgess has made nine changes to his 21 with Peet making just four and on both sides, there is scope for further resting of key players within that.

Perhaps it is an understandable stance – Wire paid a huge physical price to beat Catalans in Perpignan last week and with any suspensions or failed HIAs ruling players out of Wembley, it is natural to be somewhat cautious.

However, whomever is sent out there on Saturday will no doubt do so brimming with self-belief and keen to make an impression.

Sam Burgess and Matt Peet have both rested key players for Saturday's game (Image: SWPix.com)

A glimpse into the future

Director of rugby Gary Chambers has made it clear he wants Wire to become known as a developing club rather than a recruiting club, much like their neighbours are.

And on Saturday, we’ll get a glimpse into the fruits of his labour both in his current role and his previous one as the club’s head of youth.

Prop Dan Okoro – signed from Bradford Bulls earlier this year – was brought in as one for the future while the five other potential debutants in the 21-man squad all came through the academy under his watch.

At least one of them will play and add that to youngsters like Adam Holroyd, Max Wood and Connor Wrench who have already had plenty of first-team experience, and the game will offer quite the glimpse into the future.

They are certainly up against it against a very strong Wigan side, with their depth up front shining through, but they will no doubt attack the challenge with youthful exuberance.

> A closer look at the six potential Warrington Wolves debutants

Livewire full-back Cai Taylor-Wray is among six potential debutants in the Wire squad (Image: Mike Boden)

Senior men hold the key

The largely young Wire squad is interspersed with senior players, who will have an important role to play as a guiding hand.

Players do not come more experienced than Stefan Ratchford and with Josh Drinkwater and Sam Powell alongside him, it makes for a spine that has been there, seen it and done it.

Drinkwater and Powell are among seven players that would likely be in Burgess’ first-choice 17 for Wembley to remain in the squad for Saturday, with Matt Dufty, Zane Musgrove, Matty Nicholson, Rodrick Tai and Paul Vaughan being the others.

Assuming Drinkwater and Powell play, at least one of the others will do and for any that are, everyone of a Wire persuasion will be praying they come through safely.

Stefan Ratchford is set to replace the suspended George Williams in the halves (Image: Mike Boden)

A Wembley audition for middles

Most of Warrington’s Wembley team probably picks itself, with a clear idea of what Burgess’ strongest side is having been established.

Already, though, the injury suffered by Joe Philbin has opened up a spot within that theoretical 17, with the hometown hero sidelined for around 10 weeks having had surgery on an adductor muscle injury.

He has been part of an established interchange unit alongside Zane Musgrove, Jordy Crowther and Sam Powell, so Saturday’s game provides a chance for several players to stake a claim for a spot.

Joe Bullock, Max Wood and Adam Holroyd would appear to be favourites, with Wood stepping into the 17 in Perpignan last week when Crowther was unavailable.

But what chance of a bolter like Dan Okoro, Tom Whitehead or Lucas Green, for example?

At the very least, all those in likely contention can do is put themselves in the shop window and this weekend provides the perfect chance.

Max Wood is among those competing for a place in the Wembley team (Image: Mike Boden)