Warriors and Saints preview

Scrum-half Michael Dobson makes his first appearance for Wigan in Saturday?s derby with St Helens.

The Warriors, desperately in need of a win to kick-start their battle against relegation, moved quickly to snap up Dobson after Stacey Jones? recovery from a broken arm signalled the end of his loan spell with Catalans Dragons.

Dobson made a big impression with the Dragons, scoring 79 points in his 12 matches, but he will not have experienced the hot-house atmosphere of a Wigan-Saints derby, which is expected to draw a 20,000-plus crowd to the JJB Stadium.

He is still a teenager for 48 hours and coach Brian Noble is keen not to put the Canberra reserve under pressure, despite his side?s perilous position at the foot of the table.

?He?s come here to enjoy his football so let?s allow him to do that,? he said. ?Placing unrealistic expectations on him would be unfair.?

Dobson, fresh from a man-of-the-match display in the Dragons? 34-16 Challenge Cup win at Widnes, takes over from Dennis Moran.

Wigan Warriors v St Helens, JJB Stadium, Saturday May 27 2006

Wigan 18-man: Ashton, Brown, Dallas, Dobson, Fletcher, Goulding, Higham, Hill, Hock, Logan, McAvoy, O?Loughlin, Orr, Paleaaesina, Richards, Seu Seu, Tickle, Vaealiki.

St Helens 18-man: Wellens, Gardner, Lyon, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, Cayless, Gilmour, Wilkin, Sculthorpe, Hooper, P. Anderson, V. Anderson, Smith, Fa?asavalu.

Referee: A Klein

Courtesy http://www.superleague.co.uk/