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2026 Season Preview: Wigan Warriors
6 hrs
The Warriors will be looking to reclaim their crown in 2026 after letting it slip in 2025. Matt Peet’s side went from trophy town with all four titles to their name, to being trophyless last season.
Can they lift silverware again?
In his time in charge, Peet had kept a clear nucleus of a side which continues heading into this season. Only six players have departed the Warriors ahead of the season, two of which are Kruise Leeming and Tyler Dupree, both leaving for French sides on loan. As Leeming heads to the Dragons, Dupree heads for Toulouse. After a short stint in Super League, Christian Wade returned to Rugby Union. Jacob Douglas, Harvie Hill and Liam Byrne have also all left for pastures new.
Wigan have been hit with a devastating blow that saw new signing Oliver Wilson suffer an injury in pre-season which will see him miss 2026.
Where other recruitment is concerned - as part of the swap deal with the Dragons - Oliver Partington returns to the club where he made his debut. Dayon Sambou and Jonny Vaughan both make the trip across Billinge Hill from St Helens. Finn McMillian also joins the former Champions from Championship side Barrow Raiders.
2024 was a historic year for the side in Cherry & Whites - and Peet still has the majority of this quadruple-winning squad.
They may have fallen short in 2025 with the Robins getting their Grand Final revenge, but with another season of superstars Jai Field and Bevan French proving to be key threats, along side halfback Harry Smith and hooker Brad O'Neill, 2026 promises to be a big year for the Warriors on their redemption arch...
BIG hits on camp. ?@GreenmountProj1 | #WWRL pic.twitter.com/h9T3AZCM8K
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 22, 2026
Ins and Outs:
Ins: Dayon Sambou (St Helens), Jonny Vaughan (St Helens), Oliver Wilson (Huddersfield), Finn McMillan (Barrow Raiders), Oliver Partington (Catalans Dragons)
? Ollie P settling back in!@Greenmountproj1 | #WWRL pic.twitter.com/89zQbIbqOY
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 20, 2026
Outs: Christian Wade, Liam Byrne, Harvie Hill, Tyler Dupree, Jacob Douglas, Kruise Leeming
Who are the ones to watch?
2023 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Bevan French has been a constant threat to Super League sides since joining the Warriors. French has shown his versatility in recent years, but has really cemented his place as a stand-off. The speedster has the ability create moments of brilliance out of nothing and that is sure to happen again in 2026. Can he reclaim his Man of Steel crown and become just the fifth multiple winner of the award?
Fancy full-back Jai Field has developed into a complete all-rounder. Once seen for his speed and attacking threat, Field has shown his defence matches with some crucial moments, no more so than the tackle against the Leopards last year. A strong season from Field would go a long way to the Warriors reaching Old Trafford.
Junior Nsemba thrust himself into the limelight in 2024 with strong performances. The second rower was rewarded with his international debut against Samoa at the end of that season. Nsemba, a powerful running forward, has posed a threat on the edge and is expected to do the same in the upcoming season.
Who is the next generation?
Jack Farrimond has been a highly tipped talent and has impressed when called upon by his head coach. Farrimond made his debut in March 2024 against London Broncos before going on to make a further seven Super League appearances that season, most notably in the 20-0 Magic Weekend success against St Helens.
In 2025, the half-back made eight more Super League appearances scoring eight tries, proving his attacking threat.
Farrimond has proved he is a reliable deputy, but will he be called upon even more this season?
Jack Farrimond standing up when it mattered ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/YFAC3YHNuG
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 14, 2025
What are the defining dates?
In June, the Warriors will head to the French capital to have a special fixture with Catalans. The game at Stade Jean Boudin will celebrate 20 years of the Dragons and will also celebrate 30 years of Super League, as Paris St-Germain faced Sheffield Eagles in the very first game.
Round 12 and Round 25 will be two key dates in the diary for the Warriors. Over the past few seasons, they have created a bit of a rivalry against the Robins whilst both teams have been fighting for silverware. The recent meetings haven’t disappointed, although from a Warriors perspective, they will want to forget the last meeting which took place in October at Old Trafford. With the pair expected to be battling towards the top of the table for a third year running, how key could their meetings be in 2026?
A key date for any rugby league team is their local derby and a Warriors versus Saints meeting is looked at by all fans. With the sides meeting at Magic WKND in July, it will be three chances for bragging rights in 2026. Rivals Round will see a trip to St Helens on Good Friday, before the hosting in Round 20.
Wigan have won the last four meetings, with their last defeat coming at Easter 2024 in St Helens...
? Warriors at Work @GreenmountProj1 | #WWRL pic.twitter.com/gmHVsONZH3
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 20, 2026
What is the 2026 squad list?
1. Jai Field, 2. Zach Eckersley, 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, 14. Sam Walters, 15. Patrick Mago, 16. Abbas Miski, 17. Oliver Paritngton, 18. Warriors fans, 19. Jack Farrimond, 20. Sam Eseh, 21. Oliver Wilson, 22. Tom Forber, 23. Kian McDermott, 24. Harvey Makin, 25. Taylor Kerr, 26. Nathan Lowe, 27. Lukas Mason, 28. Noah Hodkinson, 29. Tiaki Chan, 30. George Hirst, 31. Jonny Vaughan, 32. Dayon Sambou, 33. George O’Loughlin, 34. Finlay Yeomans, 35. Finn McMillan
Teamwork is key ???#WWRL pic.twitter.com/407EHGqtPl
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 13, 2026
What are the Warriors' first three games on SuperLeague+?
SuperLeague+ is back for another HUGE year of live action, and this is when fans can watch the Warriors in the opening rounds (UK and Ireland)*
- Round 1: Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors - Sunday 15 February (K.O. 3pm)
- Round 2: Wigan Warriors v Hull FC - Saturday 21 February (K.O. 8pm)
- Round 4: Toulouse Olympique v Wigan Warriors - Saturday 7 March (K.O. 6pm)
*Overseas viewers can watch EVERY Warriors 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 Warriors' Betfred Odds?
Grand Final – 15/8
Regular season winner – 15/8
Top 6 finish – 1/33
Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Winner – Bevan French 7/1
Click here for the full list of Betfred Super League betting odds
Where can I follow the Warriors on social media?
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The Warriors and 30 years of Super League:
Wigan are a side you think of when it comes to success in Rugby League, especially within the Super League era. They are seven-times Super League Champions and have also competed in a record-equalling 14 Grand Finals.
With the introduction of the League Leaders' Shield in 2002, the Warriors have lifted the shield on four occasions, 2010, 2012, 2020 and 2023. Will they lift a fifth in 2026?
In 2024, Wigan also made history by becoming the first team in the Super League era to hold all four major trophies (the quadruple)...
