Danny McGuire’s classy words on Warrington Wolves’ milestone man Stefan Ratchford
Hull KR's Danny McGuire attempts to tackle Warrington Wolves' Stefan Ratchford during a Super League game in 2018
Castleford boss Danny McGuire has hailed Stefan Ratchford as a ‘champion person’ ahead of the Warrington stalwart’s 350th Wolves appearance, which he will make against the Tigers on Friday night.
Eight-time England international Ratchford joined Warrington from Salford back in 2012, and surpassed the milestone of 450 career appearances earlier this year.
Now, the 36-year-old is set for his 350th game in a Wolves shirt, which will come when Castleford visit the Halliwell Jones Stadium for the pair’s Round 13 Super League clash.
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Danny McGuire’s classy words on Warrington Wolves’ milestone man Stefan Ratchford
McGuire faced Ratchford 19 times during his own playing career, lining up against him 16 times in a Leeds Rhinos shirt and then again on three more occasions in the colours of Hull KR.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday morning, the Castleford head coach said: “Stef is actually a champion person as well as a (champion) player.
“You get caught up in these milestones talking about their career and what they’ve done in the game, but he’s such a good person as well.
“Every time I’ve been involved in camps or different set-ups or even just playing against him, he’s a gentleman after the game.
“He’s a very good player, very skilful and very tough, but then a really good fella off the field. He’ll shake your hand and have a beer with you.
Two-time Challenge Cup winner Ratchford is on the brink of another significant record, needing to score just one point to enter into the top ten of Super League‘s all-time points scorers.
McGuire – who himself was Super League’s all-time top try-scorer until Ryan Hall broke his record last year – continued: “He (Ratchford) is a champion player.
“He’s had a great career and has always played to a really high level, whatever position he’s been thrown in at.
“That just tells you the amount of esteem he’s held in by everyone. I wish him all the best going forward, but obviously not on Friday night!”
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