Wigan v Widnes preview
Joe Mellor says Super League leaders Widnes will be out to "make a statement" on Thursday as they seek a first away win over Wigan for 11 years.
The 25-year-old Mellor has been in sensational form along with his half-back partner Kevin Brown as the Vikings have equalled their best ever start to a Super League campaign.
In the bottom four at the end of 2015 and tipped for another battle against relegation, the Vikings have silenced their critics by winning five of their opening six matches and boast the best attack in Super League as well as the leading try-scorer in Corey Thompson.
But Mellor knows they face an acid test of their title aspirations against the Warriors, who are one of only two clubs with 100 per cent records so far this year and, fresh from a demolition of defending champions Leeds, have the chance to take over top spot.
"I think a lot of people are surprised because of the way we performed last year and where we ended up in the league, but we had a really good pre-season and obviously took that into the season," said Mellor. "Nobody is getting carried away because we know it could change, we're just looking to turn up each week and perform the best we can."
Warrington-born Mellor, one of 16 Wigan academy products in the two squads for Thursday's game at the DW Stadium, is playing the best rugby of his career since joining Widnes.
He made two Super League appearances for the Warriors in 2012 before being sidelined for nine months with a knee injury and went on to rebuild his career under Denis Betts, another former Wigan player.
"I'm not bitter about anything," he said. "Wigan have got a really good youth set-up and I enjoyed my time there and learned a lot. "Denis gave me my opportunity and [Stefan] Marsh went on dual [registration] to Widnes as well the year before me.
"It's a good pathway for us to get some game time but now I think we'll be able to attract some really good players to Widnes. We're up there and competing with the likes of Wigan these days. "We do really want to go out and make a statement this week. I think last week was our biggest test of the season against Hull FC and this is going to be massive."
While the Vikings are averaging 35 points a game, Wigan have the meanest defence having leaked just 66 points in five games.
They are unbeaten against Super League opposition at the DW Stadium since June 2014 - not that coach Shaun Wane is taking his side's impressive home record for granted. "Every club that comes to the DW poses a threat to it," Wane said. "I don't get carried away with the 'fortress' comments.
"We need to turn up mentally and be ready to defend our line like our life depends on it. We did that last week. Unfortunately we couldn't see the game out by 'nilling' Leeds [winning 28-6] but we'll have to have the same attitude against Widnes. "They're playing really well. They're scoring some points and really attacking teams.
"They have an advantage with their home pitch but they're also playing well away. The attacking shapes they're showing with Joe Mellor, Kev Brown and Rhys Hanbury out the back are outstanding. "They've done things to Leeds and Hull that we couldn't do. We beat them both but they weren't convincing wins and Widnes have absolutely pumped both teams [56-12 and 46-6 respectively]."
Widnes are set to switch Chris Dean from the second row to centre to plug the gap caused by the loss of Chris Bridge with a neck injury, while Setaimata Sa and Gil Dudson are both pushing for recalls.
Wigan will give late fitness tests to stand-off George Williams, who pulled out of last week's win over Leeds with a back problem, and second rower Liam Farrell, who is nursing a shoulder injury.
Second rower Nick Gregson keeps his place in the squad after making his debut against the Rhinos and Wane may give a debut to prop Joe Bretherton if Farrell is ruled out.
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Joe Bretherton, Gregg Burke, Josh Charnley, Tony Clubb, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Oliver Gildart, Nick Gregson, Dom Manfredi, Lee Mossop, Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, George Williams.
Widnes Vikings: Kevin Brown, Hep Cahill, Chris Dean, Gil Dudson, Alex Gerrard, Tom Gilmore, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Macgraff Leuluai, Manase Manuokafoa, Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor, Eamon O'Carroll, Charly Runciman, Setaimata Sa, Corey Thompson, Lloyd White, Matt Whitley.
