Maguire starts with Saints friendly

New Wigan coach Michael Maguire will start his tenure with a festive season friendly against arch-rivals St Helens.

The Warriors have announced a pre-season programme which includes the game against Saints on Sunday 27th December (3pm) as well as friendlies against Wakefield (Hearwell Stadium, January 17th, 3.30pm), Leigh (Leigh Sports Village, January 24th, 3pm) and Warrington (Halliwell Jones Stadium, January 27th, 7.30pm).

The new coaching team of Maguire (Head Coach), Shaun Wane (Lead Assistant Coach) and Mark Bitcon (Head of Strength & Conditioning) are now in place at the Club and the First Team Squad reported for pre-season training today.

Michael Maguire said: “We have a tough pre-season training schedule planned but we are also looking forward to getting some game action.  The match against St Helens will give me the opportunity to see the players in competitive action for the first time and will be a good physical test for the boys.  I’ve already been told about the rivalry between the two Clubs, and whilst it’s only a pre-season game I’m sure there will still be a big crowd to see a tough hit out.

“During the course of our trial games I’ll be able to try out some combinations and look at the whole squad so that we are fully prepared come the first weekend of the competition.”

Super League XV kicks off on the weekend of 5th, 6th & 7th February and the full fixtures will be unveiled this Wednesday.