Liam Farrell explains why Mike Cooper will fit right in at Wigan

Liam Farrell has backed his England team-mate Mike Cooper to hit the ground running at Wigan since making the immediate move from rivals Warrington.

Cooper, 33, has linked up with the Warriors from hometown club Warrington with immediate effect. He has signed a deal until the end of next season, with the option of a further year.

Farrell has played alongside Cooper on the international stage for England, and believes Cooper will suit Wigan’s style of play.

“I’ve know for the last month or so that he was coming for next year so I spoke to him when we were in the England camp,” Farrell said. “I told him he’d fit right in at the club with the way he plays the game.

“He’s a workhorse, he likes to do all the small things off the ball and he’s aggressive, so I thought he’d fit right into the club.

“To hear the news yesterday that he he’d be coming in (immediately) was exciting, I think he can only add to us.

“There is competition in the middles but it is healthy competition. He’ll fit right in and I think we’ll see him playing in the near future.”

PHONECALL: Warrington asked Wigan if they could take Mike Cooper immediately

Liam Farrell excited to see Mike Cooper play for Wigan

Cooper could make his Wigan debut in Thursday’s trip to Leeds. He will wear the number 36 shirt for the Cherry and Whites for the rest of 2022.

The England prop has won four Challenge Cups with Warrington and played in three Super League Grand Finals.

Farrell believes Cooper’s experience will only be a good thing for Wigan’s exciting crop of young forwards.

“I think if you ask most clubs you can never have too many middles,” Farrell added.

“You need a lot of competition in those places because it is the biggest part of the field. It is probably the right time of year for him to come in. Games are getting more intense and there’s a lot more riding on them.

“For him to come into the squad, he’ll add a lot of experience. I think he’ll be great for us so I’m really excited to see him play.”

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