But, although welcoming back Cameron Phelps, George Carmont, Mark Riddell and Iafeta Paleaaesina, the injury-hit leaders were without Amos Roberts, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden and Harrison Hansen.

BBC: Salford City Reds 4-18 Wigan Warriors

Harrison Hansen opened the scoring for Wigan before Thomas Leuluai and Lee Mossop added two more first-half tries.

BBC: Salford City Reds 16-32 Wigan Warriors

Thomas Leuluai's break set up the first for Hansen before, almost straight from the restart, Tomkins spotted a gap to race 80 yards to the line for the try of the match.

BBC: Warrington 24-44 Wigan

Craig Morgan and Mark Jones are the only recognised specialist wings in Hansen's squad, with James' Bridgend colleague Gareth Thomas added as "utility" cover.

BBC: Wales rejection puzzles James

The deadlock was finally broken on 21 minutes and it was appropriate that the try came from a handling error, Hansen pouncing on a loose ball after Tigers winger Kirk Dixon failed to deal with Thomas Leuluai's towering kick to the corner.

BBC: Wigan 18-12 Castleford