Debut a moment “I’ll never forget” says Kai Pearce-Paul

Josh McAllister

Photo credit: Stewart Frodsham

Wigan youngster Kai Pearce-Paul says his debut against St Helens will be one he’ll never forget. 

Pearce-Paul, 19, was one of six debutants from the club’s academy that featured against St Helens at the AJ Bell Stadium, falling to a 42-0 defeat.

He joined the Warriors ahead of the 2020 season on a four-year deal, making the move from London Broncos academy, leaving his family in the capital. And alongside his rugby league career, Pearce-Paul studies a Sports and Exercise Science degree at UCLAN.

Almost a year after the move up north, the number 34 came off the bench for his debut, earning heritage number 1109.

He said: “The debut was definitely a moment I will never forget. I felt honoured to wear the Wigan badge and represent the club. It felt even better being alongside my teammates as five of them were making their debuts too.

“I have been training with the squad since lockdown. It has been intense because of the short amount of time we had before the games continued plus I had to isolate for 14 days recently.

“It’s great training alongside the likes of Liam Farrell and Willie Isa who are two very successful and highly established players. It allows me to gain good experience from them, watching and playing against some of the best back rowers in the competition.”

Despite the defeat, Pearce-Paul said he was proud of his teammates and the 80-minute performance.

“I definitely believe that the scoreline did not reflect the efforts of the boys on Tuesday,” he said.

“I felt like all of the boys put in a great shift and showed the talent that Wigan has to offer for the future.”

Super League Wigan Warriors