The new Super League season kicks off on Friday with champions Wigan Warriors taking on last season's League Leaders' Shield winners Huddersfield Giants at the DW Stadium.
Wigan beat the Giants en route to Grand Final success in 2013, although Paul Anderson's Huddersfield did the double over the Warriors during the regular season. Shaun Wane's men are again among the favourites to reach Old Trafford this time around, however, Huddersfield will fancy their chances of making the showpiece event.
Wigan have a new full-back in Matt Bowen to replace Sam Tomkins and he will make his debut along with fellow new signings Eddy Pettybourne, John Bateman, Dan Sarginson and Tony Clubb. England international winger Josh Charnley is missing for the Warriors after undergoing hernia surgery during the off-season meaning teenager Joe Burgess will deputise.
Wigan claimed a 22-8 success over Huddersfield in the play-offs and Wane is expecting a response, saying: "They've got some good players and they will be hurting over the way their season finished last year. I reckon they will be a strong team this year."
Huddersfield have plenty of fresh faces themselves with Antonio Kaufusi, Chris Bailey and Jodie Broughton set to make their Super League bows, but forward Jason Chan has been ruled out. The Giants caught Saints on the hop 12 months ago, but a victory at the DW Stadium would not rank as big a shock and Anderson is not expecting the champions' focus to be elsewhere.
The game was brought forward a week to accommodate Wigan's participation in the World Cup Challenge where they tackle NRL champions South Sydney Rabbitohs in Australia on February 22. "I doubt it," Anderson replied if Wigan's focus was on Sydney. "Knowing Waney, there is no chance. They had a fair hit-out on Friday against Saints which I went to. They're ready to go."
Wigan: Bateman, Bowen, Burgess, Clubb, Crosby, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hughes, McIlorum, O'Loughlin, Pettybourne, S. Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Taylor, Thornley.
Huddersfield: Grix, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Murphy, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Ferres, Bailey, Lawrence, Patrick, Ta'ai, Wood, Broughton, Kaufusi, Mullally.