How Wigan Warriors could line-up in 2024 with huge transfers already confirmed

Wigan Warriors are well underway with their recruitment for 2024 and look to have one of the strongest squads on paper already for the next campaign. 

Tyler Dupree recently made the mid-season switch from Salford Red Devils in a deal that saw veteran prop Brad Singleton go the other way.

The highly-rated 23-year-old joined Matt Peet’s side on a huge four-year deal for a club-record transfer fee for Salford.

Dupree, who made his England debut earlier this season against France, enjoyed a try-scoring debut from the bench against local rivals Leigh Leopards, and has gone on to make a further two appearances to date for the Warriors.

An eye-catching addition to come saw Wigan sign rising youngster Sam Walters from Leeds Rhinos on a three-year deal. The 22-year-old Widnes-born forward can play both in the middle and at back-row, although has previously discussed his preferred position is the latter.

He will have competition with Junior Nsemba for a spot, with Kai Pearce-Paul heading to the NRL at the end of the year and Willie Isa still without a deal for 2024.

Peet will have some tough decisions for the number nine spot, with Kruise Leeming set to return from Australia and join the DW Stadium outfit on a four-year contract.

Brad O’Neill has become the regular starter in recent weeks, while 31-year-old Sam Powell is also contracted for next season. The pair may be fighting for a spot on the bench week-to-week in 2024.

Centre Toby King is expected to depart at the end of the year and return to parent club Warrington Wolves under new boss Sam Burgess. However, Wigan have already secured his replacement in Australian Adam Keighran from Catalans Dragons, who could also take some kicking pressure off Harry Smith next season.

Keighran has converted 54 goals for the Dragons in his debut campaign, scoring nine tries in 19 appearances.

Bevan French has been utilised at six in 2023 over Cade Cust, although not entirely convincingly. However, it may be the only option for Peet to keep Jai Field, Abbas Miski and French all in the starting XIII.

Half-back or hooker Cust, Patrick Mago, Iain Thornley and Ramon Silva are all still without deals, while Mike Cooper is expected to re-sign and continue his rehabilitation. He will likely make the starting 17 when fit, although hasn’t been considered in our prediction due to his current ACL injury.

How Wigan Warriors could line-up in 2024

1 Jai Field

2 Abbas Miski

3 Adam Keighran

4 Jake Wardle

5 Liam Marshall

6 Bevan French

7 Harry Smith

8 Ethan Havard

9 Kruise Leeming

10 Liam Byrne

11 Sam Walters

12 Liam Farrell

13 Morgan Smithies

Bench: Powell/O’Neill, Ellis, Nsemba, Dupree.

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