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2026 Season Preview: Warrington Wolves
3 hrs
The same line crops up every time – will it be Warrington Wolves’ year?
It certainly wasn’t in 2025. Last year was a challenging one to say the least for the Wolves. Sam Burgess’ side went from representing Super League under the bright lights of Las Vegas and being Betfred Challenge Cup Finalists, to struggling in later stages of the league.
And despite a late rally which briefly threatened the top six, the Wolves finished in eighth place and will want to forget that disappointing campaign forever more.
They have taken some positive steps for 2026, however, such as adding to their already extensive squad and are committed to utilising their extremely talented youth.
There needs to be a renewed optimism around the Halliwell Jones Stadium ahead of the 2026 season kicking off and the message is clear - regroup, bounce back and return to Play-Offs contention. There is also added motivation with it being the club's 150th anniversary year.
But with so much quality in the other teams around them, Warrington are going to have to work extremely hard if they are to push themselves into the top half of the table…
New year, same drive ? pic.twitter.com/D4pJZQmRrU
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 2, 2026
Ins & Outs:
Ins: Toafofoa Sipley (Manly Sea Eagles), Liam Byrne (Wigan), Albert Hopoate (Canberra Raiders), James Bentley (Leeds), Josh Smith (Brisbane Tigers), Sam Stone (Salford Red Devils), Kelepi Tanginoa (Hull KR)
Ripping in ?? pic.twitter.com/hEfbCwyTBZ
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) December 8, 2025
Outs: Paul Vaughan, Stefan Ratchford, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Dan Russell, Tom Whitehead, Nolan Tupaea, Lucas Green, Zac Bardsley-Rowe, Alfie Johnson, Rodrick Tai, Dan Okoro
Who are the ones to watch?
Matty Ashton is gearing up for his return after a devastating injury ruled him out for the season last May and ruined any chances of appearing for England in the ABK Beer Ashes Series.
Ashton is one of the fastest players in Super League - widely recognised for his length of the field efforts and acrobatic finishes. In 2024, he emerged as the Wolves’ top try scorer with 25 tries and will be hoping to replicate this fine form and get back to his best in 2026.
Wire certainly missed him last year!
Matty Ashton is RAPID ???#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/H30hAng5qX
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 21, 2025
Luke Yates is Mr. Reliable and has relentless work rate. The powerhouse prop brings in tough carries while standing strong in defence. He’ll be an important leader for the Wolves.
Brothers Josh Thewlis and younger brother Jake lit up the league last year, scoring 25 Super League tries combined. The pair can be a real threat on either edge, with Jake arguably sitting in the 'next generation' category at just 20 years of age.
Where new recruits are concerned, Toafofoa Sipley should add size and power to the Wolves' pack, replacing Paul Vaughan. He signs from Manly Sea Eagles. Meanwhile, former Canberra Raiders' Albert Hopoate will work inside Ashton in the centres this year – that’s a speedy duo you don’t want to be defending!
Toa ? pic.twitter.com/Yk6ZumneQG
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) November 17, 2025
Who is the next generation?
Warrington boast some outstanding young talent.
Cai Taylor-Wray will wear the number 1 shirt, signalling trust in the promising 19-year-old full-back despite just nine appearances last season.
Arron Lindop is also one of Warrington’s brightest one young talent and well-documented for his pace, athleticism and versatility on the centre or wing. Despite a serious ACL injury in 2025, he remains a key part of the club’s future, with the potential to shine once fully fit.
Ewan Irwin is also a promising youngster coming through the ranks – he had a dream debut back in Round 9 last year when Warrington beat St Helens on home soil.
Burgess is always big on giving his youngsters valuable game time, so keep an eye out for the likes of Irwin, Lindop and the rest of the Wolves’ homegrown talent.
What are the defining dates?
A night to remember awaits in Round 1 when Warrington host St Helens. It is important that the Wolves make a solid start to their season, and there would be no better way than an emphatic win over the Saints on home soil.
19-0 the last time we faced Saints in our home opener ? pic.twitter.com/mfDaoHgCxd
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) November 26, 2025
Their next two fixtures don’t get much easier – they’ll face two of last year’s top six – champions Hull KR and Daryl Powell’s Wakefield Trinity, and these are two sides Warrington failed to beat last year.
And the opening month could quite possibly set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
Rivals Round stands out when the they meet Leigh Leopards. The Leopards edged the Wolves in two tight games in 2025, so revenge is sweet.
July poses a massive test when Warrington face Wigan Warriors and the Robins back-to-back but will reveal where Sam Burgess’ men really are in the Play-Off picture.
In addition, August could be a confidence-boosting month heading into the Play-Offs if the Wolves strike here. They play two newly promoted teams as well as the three teams which finished around them last season. The order is as follows – Castleford Tigers, Bradford Bulls, York Knights, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC.
What is the 2026 squad list?
1. Cai Taylor-Wray, 2. Josh Thewlis, 3. Toby King, 4. Albert Hopoate, 5. Matty Ashton, 6. George Williams, 7. Marc Sneyd, 8. Luke Yates, 9. Danny Walker, 10. James Harrison, 11. Adam Holroyd, 12. Sam Stone, 13. Ben Currie, 14. Sam Powell, 15. Toafofoa Sipley, 16. Liam Byrne, 17. Jordy Crowther, 18. Ewan Irwin, 19. Leon Hayes, 20. James Bentley, 21. Luke Thomas, 22. Joe Philbin, 23. Arron Lindop, 25. Max Wood, 26. Josh Smith, 27. Jake Thewlis, 28. Oli Leyland, 29. Zack Gardner, 30. Tom McKinney, 31. Ben Hartill, 32. Ewan Smith, 33. Tommy Rhodes, 34. Kelepi Tanginoa
Energy ??? pic.twitter.com/2F7ccxAxlG
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) December 8, 2025
What are the Wolves' first three games on SuperLeague+?
SuperLeague+ is back for another HUGE year of live action, and this is when fans can watch the Wolves in the opening rounds (UK and Ireland)*
- Round 3: Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity – Saturday 28 February (K.O. 5.30pm)
- Round 4: York Knights v Warrington Wolves – Friday 6 March (K.O. 8pm)
- Round 5: Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers – Saturday 21 March (K.O. 3pm)
*Overseas viewers can watch EVERY Wolves match LIVE every week.
Sign up to SuperLeague+ today to enjoy 130 LIVE games, full match replays, highlights and other exclusive on demand content!
What are the Wolves' Betfred Odds?
Grand Final – 14/1
Regular season winner – 14/1
Top 6 finish – 4/6
Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Winner – Matty Ashton 20/1
Click here for the full list of Betfred Super League betting odds
Where can I follow the Wolves on social media?
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The Wolves and 30 years of Super League:
Warrington Wolves have been ever-present in Super League since its launch in 1996, establishing themselves as one of the competition’s most consistent sides.
They achieved their first League Leaders’ Shield in 2011, before going on to win this piece of silverware a second time in 2016.
Prior to this, the Wolves entered a golden period where the Challenge Cup Final was concerned - with wins in 2009, 2010 and 2012 but haven’t unable to mirror this success in the Super League.
They’ve been constantly in and around the Play-Offs, and the Wolves have reached the Super League Grand Final four times since the competition began, but have finished runners-up on each occasion (2012, 2013, 2016 and 2018).
That first Super League Grand Final win remains agonisingly elusive…
