Adrian Lam excited to return to Wigan home against old team-mate Dave Furner

Wigan coach Adrian Lam is eager to return to the DW Stadium against former team-mate turned rival, Dave Furner.

The Warriors will play their first home game of the season on Friday as they take on Leeds Rhinos, with Lam returning to his ‘home from home’ for his first game as head coach.

Lam made his Wigan debut as a player back in 2001 alongside David Furner, who is now coach of the Rhinos.

“I’ve got some great life memories here as a player,” Lam said.

“It’s important that we respond this week as a team. It’s our first home game for us and me as coach. It’s not about me though, it’s about the team making sure that we play the way we want to play.

“I made my debut with Dave Furner back in 2001 so we are both coming back here [to the DW Stadium] for the first time.

“I know him pretty well and he will be shouting from that result on the weekend. He’s got some great memories from playing here as well and he will want to leave here with the two points.

“But we want to make it a fortress where we dominate home games, so we’re looking forward to a good performance from our side and making sure Dave is without a win at the end of the week.”

Lam has been impressed with the new rules, including the introduction of the shot clock on scrums, drop-outs and goal-kicks.

“I was surprised that both sides adopted to it so quickly [last week],” Lam added.

“I think it was a couple of scrums where they packed it with three or four seconds to go, that is considered close in the NRL, so they got their timing right.

“I probably need to chat to a few of them to make sure we don’t push that time too far.”