Wigan Warriors 2022 preview: New man at the helm and hungry for success

James Gordon

Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com

There’s a fresh impetus around Wigan as they mark their 150th anniversary as a club in 2022.

New coach Matt Peet is supported by an impressive team around him, including Shaun Wane, Sean O’Loughlin and Lee Briers.

They were the last Super League champions before St Helens current run of three in a row, and ending a run of eight years without a Challenge Cup success will also be something they have designs on ending.

Star full-back Bevan French will have a delayed start to the season for compassionate reasons, but the emergence of Jai Field – cruelly denied the majority of his debut year through injury – may feel like a new signing.

Their new recruits have been perhaps less high-profile than some of their rivals, but the Warriors will be hopeful they have made a more well-rounded squad.

It will be worth keeping an eye on some of the new crop of youngsters, in particular Kai Pearce-Paul, who could enjoy a real break through year.

NUMBER ONE: Jai Field to get chance at full-back for Wigan

Key man

What they said

Thomas Leuluai has praised the impact of their new head coach.

He said: “We’ve gone back to some of the things in the past that have worked for us and Matt has brought some new things in.

“He’s been very good, I can’t fault him. Obviously he’s been involved with the club for a long time and he knows what the club is about. He’s brought us together as a group, he’s done a fantastic job so far.

“He’s a year older than me but I’ve played against most of the coaches in the Super League.”

Wigan Warriors 2022 preview key info

Coach: Matt Peet (since October 2021)

Captain: Thomas Leuluai.

In: Cade Cust (Manly), Kaide Ellis (St George), Patrick Mago (South Sydney), Abbas Miski (London Broncos), Iain Thornley (Leigh), Ramon Silva (London Broncos).

Out: Tony Clubb, Dom Manfredi (both retired), Oliver Gildart, Jackson Hastings (both Wests Tigers), Amir Bourouh (Salford), Joe Bullock (Warrington).

Wigan Warriors 2022 preview: squad in full

1. Bevan French, 2. Jake Bibby, 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Iain Thornley, 5. Liam Marshall, 6. Cade Cust, 7. Thomas Leuluai, 8. Brad Singleton, 9. Sam Powell, 10. Patrick Mago, 11. Willie Isa, 12. Liam Farrell, 13. John Bateman, 14. Morgan Smithies, 15. Kaide Ellis, 16. Harry Smith, 17. Oliver Partington, 19. Ethan Havard, 20. Liam Byrne. 21. Kai Pearce-Paul, 22. Joe Shorrocks, 23. Jai Field, 24. Abbas Miski, 25. Sam Halsall, 26. James McDonnell, 27. Umyla Hanley, 28. Brad O’Neill, 29. Alex Sutton, 30. Matty Nicholson, 31. Ramon Silva

Wigan odds: Grand Final winner 13/2 (4th), Regular season winner 7/1 (4th)

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