Wane relishing Leeds clash

Wigan coach Shaun Wane is excited by the extra pressure on his depleted side ahead of Friday's Super League clash at Leeds.

The Warriors will be without five of their first-choice forwards, three of them through suspension, as they look to extend their 10-match winning run and open up a 10-point gap on the champions.

Gareth Hock, Chris Tuson and Lee Mossop paid the price for their part in the brawl that marred Wigan's 42-16 derby win over St Helens at the Magic Weekend when they were suspended for Friday's match.

Wigan have also lost Harrison Hansen, who sustained a broken jaw against Saints to join Paul Prescott and Ben Flower on the sidelines, so Wane will be forced to dip into his reserves, not that he is complaining.

"Our Under-20s are very strong and it's a good opportunity for them to stand up," he said.

"I'm just really excited because it puts that bit more pressure on us. People like (Epalahame) Lauaki and (Jeff) Lima are going to have to stand up and it will give me an idea of where the likes of Dom Crosby are.

"We might play a young kid, Rhodri Lloyd, who would be making his debut, and have Logan Tomkins on the bench. I've loads of options and it will be a good test.

"No matter what team I pick for Friday, we will be competitive and Leeds will know they've been in a game."

Lloyd, 18, who made his Wales debut against Italy at the age of 17, joined the Warriors from South Wales Scorpions in the close season and has caught the eye in their reserve team.

"Rhodri is a good player and he has done well this season," said Wane. "He played in one of the pre-season games and didn't look out of place."

Meanwhile, Wane has accepted the suspensions handed out to his players, despite maintaining that referee Ben Thaler over-reacted with the red cards.

"It seemed like two front rowers having a bit of a dig and I have no problem with that," he said.

"Ben Thaler is a very good referee and he dealt with it how he saw it. Now we have to deal with it."

While Tuson and Mossop were given one-match bans, Hock must sit out the next two games but will be available for England's game against the Exiles at Langtree Park on June 16 if selected.

St Helens forward Shaun Magennis, the other player dismissed last Sunday, was given a three-match ban.