Ian Watson confirms Huddersfield’s interest in Jake Bibby

Josh McAllister
Jake Bibby Challenge Cup

Huddersfield head coach Ian Watson has confirmed the club’s interest in Wigan centre Jake Bibby.

Bibby, 25, is without a contract for the 2023 season at the Warriors and has been linked with a move to the John Smith’s Stadium.

The centre made his debut at Salford under Ian Watson in 2015 against Hull KR. He went on to make close to 100 appearances for the AJ Bell Stadium side.

He was the club’s only try scorer in their 2019 Grand Final defeat to St Helens, and joined Wigan ahead of the 2020 campaign.

The club extended his contract by a further year for 2022, but could potentially lose their impressive centre to Huddersfield.

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Watson confirms interest in Jake Bibby

Watson told Love Rugby League: “I’ve had Jake at Salford. He’s a player off-contract and we’ve definitely got an interest in Jake. I won’t lie and say we’ve not. I’ve definitely got an interest in Jake.

“Time will tell I suppose whether we’re in a position where we can get Jake across the line. I’d like Jake to join us, there’s no point in denying that or hiding that.

“Jake is a player who made his debut under me at Salford and we worked really hard together on a lot of things along with Martin Gleeson at the time.

“I know what Jake can bring and what kind of player he is, so I would like to try and team up with him again. Time will tell with that one.

“The one big thing about Jake is, there will be a lot of clubs having a little look around him. He plays a large number of games and plays at a high level.

“He’s an eight out of ten every single week. In the semi-final against St Helens, I thought he was the best centre on the field and that’s some going when you’re up against the likes of Mark Percival and people like that.

“I think Wigan understand how valuable he is as well and will want to keep him.

“But what we want to be, we want to get better and have a stronger squad. We’ve put our hat in the ring.”

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