Wigan’s promising crop of young forwards excite Liam Farrell
Liam Farrell is looking forward to seeing what heights Wigan’s exciting bunch of young forwards can reach this season.
The Warriors are well-known for having one of the best youth systems in the game and continue to produce homegrown talent year on year.
Ollie Partington, Liam Byrne, Morgan Smithies, Ethan Havard and Joe Shorrocks have made their mark in Super League over the last couple of seasons – and Farrell is looking forward to playing alongside them again in 2021.
Farrell said: “They’ve made a very strong name for themselves over the last couple of years.
“I think this year – if they put themselves and present themselves like they have been doing – then they’ve got a really good shot at being the standout forwards in the league.
“They’ve got level heads on them so I’m looking forward to seeing how they go on this year and they are going to be a big part of our squad.
“I feel like one of the older players in the group now and with some of the younger guys coming in like Ollie P, Morgan Smithies, Ethan Havard – it is a bright future for the club.
“Them mixed in with the overseas players we’ve got – Jai Field coming in, Bevan (French) and Jackson (Hastings) – we’ve got some great talent there so as long as we’re working together then we’ve got a very good squad and things could look bright this year for us.”
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Farrell has naturally emerged as one of Wigan’s leaders over the last couple of years, with the 30-year-old making 270 appearances for his hometown club.
The England international is happy to be a mentor for the next generation of Wigan talent coming through the ranks.
He said: “I never thought I’d see myself as a leader when I was in my early 20s and now I’ve got towards the back end and I’m in my 30s it seems a natural position for me now and there is a bit more pressure on you to perform and do the right things in training day in, day out.
“The most important thing for me is setting an example for the young lads coming through and making sure they know the right things to do in and around the place.
“For me at the moment, some of the young lads have got great heads on them and thats one of the most important things for me.”
Farrell would love a place in Shaun Wane’s England squad for the World Cup this autumn – but is just focusing on clubland with Wigan at the moment.
He added: “I wouldn’t say my focus is on getting in the England squad. It sounds pretty similar to what a lad of the other lads will say – I want to perform well for Wigan. If my form off the back of that gets me in the England squad, then great.
“We’ve been having monthly Zoom calls with Waney and he’s been setting the standards of what he expects from us week in, week out in Super League so we know where we have to perform and if I’m doing those standards he expects then hopefully I can be part of that squad. I’d love to be a part of the World Cup.”
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