Warrington Wolves talking points after narrow Wigan defeat

That case can be argued for Warrington Wolves after their much-changed side was edged out by Wigan Warriors on Saturday a week before the two sides meet in the Challenge Cup Final.

The inexperienced Wire side lost by just a point, raising hopes that they could overhaul a well-fancied Wigan outfit when their stars return at Wembley next weekend.

Our Wire reporter Matt Turner picks out five key talking points from the action here…

A loss that feels like a win

Anyone happening to wander by The Halliwell Jones Stadium at full time could not have been blamed for thinking Warrington had won this game.

Such was the noise of appreciation for what a much-changed and inexperienced Wire side had managed to accomplish, the celebrations of the Wigan faithful were well and truly drowned out.

The Warriors may, as expected, have gone away with the points, but the moral victory – if such a thing exists – goes to the home side.

With a little more precision, the moral victory would have turned into a real-life one although for a team that has barely trained together and was somewhat thrown together, a lack of cohesion was to be expected.

However, they exuded the tenacity and energy that is becoming the hallmark of Sam Burgess’ squad and it meant they were in the game until the very death.

> Sam Burgess speaks of his pride in Warrington Wolves youngsters

A much-changed Wire side lost out by just a point against Wigan (Image: PA Wire)

A glimpse into a bright future

The 12 changes Burgess made to his 17 included four players making their senior debut in Cai Taylor-Wray, Jake Thewlis, Nolan Tupaea and Ben Hartill.

Even outside of that, the team included players such as Arron Lindop, Max Wood and Tom Whitehead whose Super League careers are still in their infancy.

However, not a single one of them looked out of place against a champion Wigan side that was much closer to full strength.

Excitement has been brewing within the club about the crop of young players at their disposal for some time and now, the public evidence is starting to mount up.

Burgess will be keen to avoid over-exposing them but they can all expect a few more first-team games in what is left of this year, and they have shown they can more than handle it.

Jake Thewlis was one of four senior debutants in the Warrington side (Image: SWPix.com)

Drinkwater continues to silence his doubters

It’s fair to say many Wire fans have been underwhelmed by Josh Drinkwater’s displays since joining the club.

However, he is one of a few players enjoying something of a glow-up under Burgess’ coaching and is thriving in the attacking structures put in place by assistant coach Martin Gleeson.

With inexperience all around him, the onus was on the half-back along with Stefan Ratchford and Sam Powell to guide the team through and once again, he was a steady pair of hands.

A try and two assists – all of which stemmed from precise short-range kicks – highlighted another impressive display to continue the good form he has shown since returning to the side due to Leon Hayes’ season-ending injury.

Whatever his future holds beyond this year, the Australian continues to turn doubters into believers.

Josh Drinkwater scored a try and set up Wire's other two (Image: SWPix.com)

Who has won the race to replace Philbin?

The majority of Wire’s Wembley team picks itself – barring any catastrophes during the week, you can pretty much nail down 16 of the 17 Burgess would name next weekend.

The only thing in a bit of doubt was who would profit from the unfortunate injury suffered by Joe Philbin and take the final bench spot – and the three players most likely to be in contention all did themselves no harm.

Adam Holroyd enjoyed perhaps his best game in a Warrington shirt to date including two highlight-reel tackles to force knock-ons from much bigger men in Tyler Dupree and Patrick Mago.

Joe Bullock made more metres (137) than any other prop on the field and should the rib injury he suffered prove nothing major, Max Wood too did his chances no harm whatsoever.

What can be said for certain is that Burgess has a very tough decision to make.

> Joe Bullock on his chances of being in Warrington Wolves' Wembley side

Adam Holroyd throws an offload (Image: PA Wire)

Advantage Warrington for Wembley Week?

With all of the players likely to be involved in the Challenge Cup Final seeming to come through the game free from any injury or disciplinary worries, Warrington theoretically have a clear run through “Wembley Week.”

And with most of their first-team stars having their feet up this week, a refreshed and re-energised Wire team should take the field in London – in theory at least.

However, while they may have got the two points, Wigan probably came out of the game with more problems than solutions.

They face a nervous wait for the outcome of Monday’s Match Review Panel – they will almost certainly be without goal-kicking centre Adam Keighran following the sickening stiff-arm head shot on Lindop that saw him sent off while the TV cameras appeared to catch Tyler Dupree aiming a headbutt at Sam Powell in the closing seconds of the first half.

Brad O’Neill too could be in hot water for a late hit on Drinkwater similar to the one that saw George Williams banned for this game.

The panel is anything but predictable, but it is an issue they could do without in the biggest week of the year to date.

Adam Keighran leaves the field having been sent off by referee Jack Smith (Image: PA Wire)