Fielden key to extending Wigan's run of fine form

Dave Hadfield
Saturday 01 July 2006 00:00 BST
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Wigan will try to maintain the momentum that could lift them clear of relegation when they face Harlequins at The Twickenham Stoop this evening.

Wins over the Catalans Dragons and Warrington have still left the Warriors four points adrift, but victories today and over Wakefield next Friday could raise them from the foot of the table for the first time since the early days of the season.

"The two wins we have had have come on the back of some improving performances and we will need to improve some more," said their coach, Brian Noble. Stuart Fielden plays his second game for the club he has been bought to inspire, Pat Richards is recalled in place of David Vaealiki after being left out last week and Kris Radlinski has recovered from a knee injury suffered in his comeback a fortnight ago.

Harlequins, who hope that fans will sandwich their game between today's two World Cup quarter-finals, will be without their half-back and leading try-scorer Luke Dorn, who damaged an elbow in the defeat by the Dragons last week.

To compensate, they have the Kiwi international Thomas Leuluai back to face the club he is expected to join next season - if they stay up - after almost two months out with a hamstring injury. Also available are Joe Mbu and Matt Gafa.

Also this evening, Hull try to extend their record winning sequence to 11 games at the Catalans. Gareth Raynor is their main doubt after missing the New Zealand Test with a shoulder injury. He has made the trip, but Shaun Briscoe is standing by.

In tomorrow's early kick-off, Warrington will be hoping for some respite from their injury problems when they play at Castleford.

Paul Cullen has named Henry Fa'afili and both Gleeson brothers in his squad after Fa'afili and Martin Gleeson survived Tuesday's international, but Jon Clarke faces an extended lay-off for shoulder surgery.

Cas have shown their confidence that they will survive in Super League by re-signing their stand-off, Ryan McGoldrick, and hooker, Andrew Henderson, on contracts that will keep them at The Jungle until the end of the 2008 season.

Nick Scruton and Jamie Peacock return to Leeds's pack at Huddersfield, for whom Kevin Brown makes his debut on loan for the rest of the season from Wigan.

The Super League leaders, St Helens, are without Paul Sculthorpe and Francis Meli at Wakefield. Ian Hardman and Matty Smith are the two young reserves added to their squad.

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