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2025 Season Preview: Wigan Warriors

4 Feb 2025

The best until last. What is there to say about the quadruple-winning Wigan Warriors that hasn’t already been said?

Matt Peet’s men became the first team in the Super League era to hold all four major trophies in 2024, as well as winning back-to-back Betfred Super League Grand Finals for the first time in the club’s history.

They were then crowned Team of the Year at the prestigious BBC Sports Personality Awards for their sensational season.

Wigan have now won the last six trophies available to them dating back to the 2023 League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final and have really laid a marker down to the rest of Rugby League.

A clean sweep in modern day is certainly an ‘unheard of’ feat, but the formidable Cherry and Whites found a way to do it and remain the ones to beat in 2025.

It is difficult to see the Warriors achieving anything other than one of the top spots and competing for additional silverware in the upcoming campaign, given the tremendous talent within the team and winning culture Peet has built around the club.

After conquering it all, they are set to another force to be reckoned with in 2025, as they continue this admirable period of dominance.

Record breakers and history makers – can the 'Kings of Rugby' maintain the highest of standards they have set?

? to business in 2025!#WWRL pic.twitter.com/cgYbfJtEgq
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 3, 2025

Ins & Outs

Ins: George Hirst (Oldham)

Outs: Mike Cooper, Ryan Hampshire, Ryan Brown

First session of 2025, completed. ?#WWRL pic.twitter.com/BR1SB9Jfm8
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 2, 2025

Ones to watch

There will be some mesmerising partnerships and combinations continuing in 2025, and breathtaking Bevan French continues to be one of the key men for the Warriors.

The former Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel became renowned for his individual moments of brilliance in 2024 with the ability to captivate a crowd with a single play, as well as his excellent connections with his teammates.

Whether its his searing pace, creative mindset or his mind-blowing off-the-cuff style of play, there are expectations firmly on French heading into 2025. Will he be able to deliver once more?

Player of the Match in 3 Finals, Bevan French ?

Rob Burrow Award ??
Lance Todd Trophy ?
Bill Ashurst Medal ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/GIjMEOXq60
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 17, 2024

Jake Wardle and Liam Marshall’s lethal left edge is also what makes the reigning Champions one of the most dangerous attacks in the league. Marshall racked up 29 tries and became the top try scorer last year, while Wardle came up with nine tries and a whooping 15 try assists.

Junior Nsemba shot to fame and has had a phenomenal season in the Cherry and White – earning him a debut in the Dream Team, Super League’s Young Player of the Year Award, as well as his very first England call-up for the Samoa Test series. Surrounded by a star-studded squad, he’s only set to get better - just what else can he go on to achieve?

Next generation

The future looks bright for Wigan with an array of young talent emerging at the club. This includes the committed young Jack Farrimond.

It’s hard to believe that Farrimond is just 19 years old, who has flourished in his eight first team appearances last year with six tries, including a superb solo effort at Elland Road’s Magic Weekend. He has all the attributes to be a star, and we could see more of him in 2025 if he continues to thrive and push for a first team spot.

Defining dates

Replicating their almost perfect home form is a must - the Warriors suffered just one defeat at The Brick Community Stadium all season long in 2024, and will kickstart the new campaign at home to Leigh Leopards in a tasty Battle of a Borough.

Wigan will represent the Betfred Super League, along with Warrington Wolves in March, when they travel to Las Vegas and play a historic match at the Allegiant Stadium - a Super League first in the US.

Will you be joining the Champions in Vegas?

?? Ticket and travel packages remain available to purchase for our history-making @SuperLeague clash against Warrington Wolves in the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas!

?? 4?? Games in one iconic venue, it’s going to be huge!

?? https://t.co/lyfY9AAKgn #WWRL pic.twitter.com/cZ0y0XjIxy
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) December 6, 2024

A Grand Final rematch then awaits in Round 7 as the Warriors travel to face Hull KR, a week before the Rivals Round Good Friday Derby against St Helens on home soil – a game that always delivers an absorbing contest.

The Warriors also have two away trips to Perpignan this year, so must be prepared for this, before ending their regular campaign with back-to-back home fixtures against Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos – but will they be celebrating come the end of the year?

Squad list

1 Jai Field, 2 Abbas Miski, 3 Adam Keighran, 4 Jake Wardle, 5 Liam Marshall 6 Bevan French, 7 Harry Smith, 8 Ethan Havard, 9 Brad O’Neill, 10 Luke Thompson, 11 Junior Nsemba, 12 Liam Farrell, 13 Kaide Ellis, 15 Patrick Mago, 16 Liam Byrne, 17 Kruise Leeming, 18 Wigan Warriors Fans, 19 Tyler Dupree, 20 Harvie Hill, 21 Sam Walters, 22 Zach Eckersley, 23 Tom Forber, 24 Jack Farrimond, 25 Sam Eseh Jr, 26 Jacob Douglas, 27 Harvey Makin, 28 Tiaki Chan, 29 Taylor Kerr, 30 Nathan Lowe, 31 Lukas Mason

First three games on SuperLeague+

SuperLeague+ is back for another HUGE year of live action, and this is when fans can watch Wakefield Trinity in the opening rounds (UK and Ireland) *…