Hayes is hitting the ground running

Leon Hayes is ready to hit the ground running with Warrington Wolves in 2025, as the 20-year-old prepares to make his eagerly awaited comeback.

Hayes started superbly with the Wolves in 2024, making eight consecutive Betfred Super League appearances and helping his side to a Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final.

There were high hopes for the Warrington-born youngster, but an unfortunate ankle injury sustained in Round 9, however, would sadly cut his season short.

Despite this setback, Hayes’ high spirits have continued, and he has been working hard towards his return to the field - hoping to bounce back bigger and better.

And with less than two weeks to go until the start of the new season, there is a strong sense of excitement around the Wire camp, as Hayes reflected on the past year:

“Pre-season has been good. We’ve just got back from Tenerife which has been a really good week, and all the lads are excited now,” Hayes said.

“The start of last year was really good. I felt like I was learning and growing as the year went on. I was developing in certain areas and then obviously it got cut short which was unfortunately out of my control.

“It’s been really tough to be honest. You’re in and around the team all the time and you feel all of the positivity and energy, but you haven’t been a part of it on the pitch, and it can affect you a bit.

“But we’re coming round to the back end of my injury now, so I’m really excited to get back into that team.

“The people around me kept me going, as well as myself and my mindset with the wanting to play rugby and wanting to be out there playing in front of everyone and my family and my friends. It was the love I had for rugby too."

Hayes is a lifelong supporter of the Wolves, and coming through the Warrington system, he now gets to live out his dream with his beloved hometown club - something which he has insisted he will never take for granted.

And it’s set to be a huge year for the prospering halfback, who has been given the iconic number 7 shirt for 2025. Once a fan who idolised his team’s players from the terraces, he is now quickly becoming one of those players himself. 

But Hayes still remains grounded, though admitted that it is often bizarre to think about:

“Having that number 7 is pretty surreal and it’s something you dream of as a kid. It’s crazy to be honest, but it doesn’t make me any better or worse of a player – I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully that’ll be enough.

“I still live in the heart of Warrington so I’m literally in and around the rugby and the fans every single day. I’m pretty grateful for it all.

“I used to go to all of the games and loved watching Warrington. Ever since I was little, I went with my family, and when I was a little bit older I went with my friends. It’s crazy that I’m on the pitch now playing.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Hayes is more than ready for what's to come, and couldn’t speak highly enough and his coach Sam Burgess and halfback partner, George Williams:

“A successful year for me would just be getting to be on the pitch and enjoying my rugby. It would be easy to put a lot of pressure on the situation I am in, but I just want to enjoy my rugby and keep learning. If I’m happy and my family are happy, then I don’t think I’m doing much wrong.

“Sam [Burgess] is amazing. He’s great on a personal level too, he’ll always look after you and sees you as a person before a player which is really important.

“In and around the squad, I’ve got the best halfback in this country next to me in George [Williams], which is pretty helpful!

"He’s been around a lot longer than me and knows his stuff, so if I ever have any queries and worries, then I can always ask him. He’s always been there for me, which I really appreciate.

“We have no idea where the season will take us, but I’m excited for it. I’m still managing an injury at the minute, so it might be a few weeks until I take to the pitch, but I’m excited and just want to make sure my body is in the right place so I can perform to my best.”

Will you be following Hayes and the Wolves in 2025?

Watch Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves on Sunday 16 February, live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+ (K.O. 3pm).

Tickets are available for this fixture here and from both official club shops.