Wane admits he would have liked to have rested several players a week before the Tetley’s Challenge Cup final against Hull but his key men need game time after missing last Friday’s home defeat to Huddersfield through injury.
Skipper Sean O’Loughlin remains a doubt for the trip to France but full-back Sam Tomkins, scrum-half Matty Smith and prop Ben Flower will all return after sitting out the 30-12 loss to the Giants.
“In an ideal world, I would have liked to have put my form team out against Huddersfield but genuine injuries to Sam, Lockers, Ben and Matty Smith dictated that I couldn’t do that,” Wane told a press conference at Orrell.
“They are fit now and they need a game so they will be playing this weekend against Catalan.”
Wane, who says O’Loughlin has a 50-50 chance of overcoming a knee injury to face the Dragons, will use Saturday’s game to finalise his Wembley line-up, with players like Flower given a chance to press their claims.
“The main doubt is Sean O’Loughlin but, apart from him, we’re pretty much injury free,” Wane added.
“Everybody has a chance to play and all the front-rowers are fighting like hell between themselves to give them a chance to play at Wembley.
“It’s a good position for me and I want to give people like Ben Flower a chance this week – he can put his hand up to play at Wembley.
“This is part of our preparation and so was Huddersfield. Some players took their opportunity and some didn’t.”
Rugby League - Wane to test stars in Dragons" den
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