Wigan without several key backs as Matt Peet names derby squad to face St Helens

Wigan Warriors will be forced into a major reshuffle of their backline for the Good Friday derby with St Helens after Zak Hardaker, Iain Thornley and Liam Marshall all failed to make Matt Peet's 21-man squad.

Peet has made two changes to his squad, with both of them enforced as Hardaker and Thornley, who both featured in last week's Challenge Cup victory over Wakefield, drop out of the group.

They are replaced by Abbas Miski and James McDonnell, while there is still no place for Marshall. That means Bevan French is almost certain to continue on the wing, with Miski also coming into contention for a place in Peet's backline.

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However, the Wigan coach's big dilemma is the identity of his centre pairing for Friday afternoon. Hardaker and Thornley started there last week, and Hardaker in particular was outstanding in the win against Wakefield.

The likes of Willie Isa, Liam Farrell and John Bateman can all slot in from the forwards to feature in the three-quarter line but with the prospect of facing the reigning Super League champions at a sold-out Totally Wicked Stadium, it is a major call Peet will likely be taking a great deal of consideration over.

Bevan French, Jake Bibby, Cade Cust, Thomas Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Patrick Mago, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Morgan Smithies, Harry Smith, Oliver Partington, Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Joe Shorrocks, Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Sam Halsall, James McDonnell, Brad O'Neill.