Warrington blow as Matty Nicholson leaves season opener with injury
Warrington were dealt a blow in their Super League season opener against Leeds as forward Matty Nicholson left the action early with injury.
The 19-year-old started the game and had a positive influence in the early stages but he left the field clutching his left arm in the first half of their 42-10 win over the Rhinos.
Nicholson didn’t return to the action. Warrington head coach Daryl Powell confirmed after the game that Nicholson dislocated a shoulder.
Powell said: “He’ll get a scan. He has dislocated his shoulder, it has gone back in pretty quickly so that can be good or bad news.
“We haven’t got a great depth of back-rowers. There are players who can fill in there but it’s not great news.”
Powell also confirmed that centre Peter Mata’utia was brought off due to illness.
More on Matty Nicholson
The back-rower linked up with the Wolves midway through last season from Super League rivals Wigan on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Nicholson is the youngest member of Powell’s squad inside the first 17, with prop James Harrison next within the forwards at the age of 26.
And the England Knights representative is keen to show what he can do in Super League with a full pre-season under Powell.
“Warrington obviously signed me and put a lot of faith in me and they’ve showed that by giving me the 12 shirt,” Nicholson told Love Rugby League in January.
“It’s massive for me really. I’m really proud to wear the 12 shirt. There has been some great players to have worn it in the past at Warrington. That’s what I came here for – to get these kind of opportunities. I’m buzzing with it.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be honest. But when he (Powell) told me, it was a proud moment. I’m ready to kick on now and play some good rugby.
“You don’t see many 19-year-olds getting it (a starting number) at such a young age. With that comes some pressure, but I think that’s a good thing. It is earlier than expected, but it’s something i’m going to take in my stride.
“Powelly signed me for a reason and I want to repay the club with my performances.”
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