INJURIES ARE GIVING MAC THE STRIFE
STEVE McNAMARA will be less than impressed with the manner of this Super 8s defeat.
Coming on the back of a 56-6 rout by Warrington, this six-try thrashing was not ideal preparation for next Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final.
But he has far more to keep him awake at night than a result with little meaning in the league.
The Catalans coach now has major injury worries that will give him selection headaches ahead of next weekend’s big day at Wembley.
Full-back Tony Gigot – one of their main danger men – limped out of the warm-up ahead of this clash in Perpignan.
He had complained of an ankle problem in training on Thursday and again reported the issue before kick-off.
Catalans withdrew him as a precaution and they will now be pulling out all the stops to get him fit for Wembley.
Winger Lewis Tierney was also clearly troubled by a problem with his right thigh which was heavily strapped.
The Dragons do not have a ready-made replacement if the former Wigan player comes a cropper this week.
Hooker Micky McIlorum and centre Iain Thornley also faced their old side but could do little to halt the Warriors.
The points meant far more to second-placed Wigan than Catalans who are eighth and have nothing to play for in the league. The Warriors also suffered an early JULIE STOTT Catlans 6 Wigan 35
injury blow of their own when winger Liam Marshall limped off after only nine minutes. But Morgan Escare proved a top-class replacement, punishing sloppy defending by his old Dragons team-mates with two first-half tries.
The first came on the back of a terrific break by Sam Tomkins, who will join the French side next season.
The full-back’s second was the result of his quick thinking as he pounced on a knock-on by Catalans before racing in from 30 metres out.
The French fans were given little to cheer about by their side but at least the sight of Tomkins in full flight will cheer them ahead of next year.
He also kicked five goals from six, as the Warriors slowly but surely cranked up the pressure on McNamara’s men.
Joe Greenwood grabbed Wigan’s first early try and also claimed another late in the second half.
The Warriors led 18-0 at the break and poor home defending allowed them to make a flying restart with another try from Tony Clubb.
Fouad Yaha stopped the rot when he did well to out-jump Tom Davies to reach a Josh Drinkwater kick.
But Wigan were barely troubled, with George Williams (above) adding to their try tally and Tomkins kicking a last-gasp drop goal.