WARRINGTON WOLVES 2022 SQUAD NUMBERS

1 Stefan Ratchford

2 Josh Charnley

3 Peter Mata’utia

4 Toby King

5 Matty Ashton

6 Gareth Widdop

7 George Williams

8 Joe Philbin

9 Daryl Clark

10 Mike Cooper

11 Ben Currie

12 Oliver Holmes

13 Jack Hughes

14 Jason Clark

15 Joe Bullock

16 Danny Walker

17 Matt Davis

18 Billy Magoulias

19 Robbie Mulhern

20 James Harrison

21 Greg Minikin

22 Josh Thewlis

23 Connor Wrench

24 Ellis Longstaff

25 Ellis Robson

26 Rob Butler

27 Riley Dean

28 Eribe Doro

29 Jacob Gannon

30 Morgan Burgess

31 Tom Whitehead

So looking at this, does this mean Charnley is swapping Wings??

That's a good lineup I think 1-13. I doubt the bench would look like that though. Magoulias, walker, Mulhern and Bullock off the bench is likely if all are fit.

I would like to see Magoulias play before deciding whether he is good enough to make the match day 13 but I obviously hope he does make the LF spot his own now I've seen his mouth watering highlight reel.

Given what we know about Magoulias would rather have had him at 13. Guessing Hughes still in there he is staying as captain.

Prefer Philbs as an impact player and not a starting prop but he's possibly the best option out of the front rows we have in the squad

When looking at that squad what struck me was that after Ashton at 5, these are the only other outside backs in the squad - 21 Greg Minikin, 22 Josh Thewlis, 23 Connor Wrench.

Ashton and King both have a history of picking up injuries and Minikin is out for a while so I think we look a little light in that area although Currie and possibly Hughes can play at centre if needed.

Looks like Keanan Brand has gone somewhere else too, no mention of where though.

I think Brand was one of those signings that are a sign of the past. He got a chance at Widnes because they were forced to use their own academy products as they couldn't afford to sign and pay for established players. He stood out a little in an otherwise poor Widnes team. He's probably a solid super league player for a lower-half-of the-table club, but he's not shown himself so far to be any better than what [iwe[/i have coming through. The difference was that at the time we weren't blooding our own academy players, and if we did they wouldn't have stood out against the likes of Gelling etc. Now we are seeing the likes of Thewlis and Wrench, I'm quite happy we are producing our own academy products that are up to the standard of the ones other clubs have handed down to us. In fact it's arguable that the current crop of youngsters are as good as any being produced by the usual suspects of Leeds, Wigan and Saints, as shown by the recent call-ups.

If we aren't going to booster the squad with established backs, I'd rather us blood our own academy players for a few weeks instead of utilise Brand. He'd be better off with a regular first team spot at Leigh or Wakefield anyway.

I agree, don’t mind a “steady” prop to start. But a little cannonball should be off the bench for 10-15 minutes of chaos in each half. Mulhearn to start for me

Shouldn't a supposed international prop, like Philbin, be looking to further himself into something more than impact player at this stage of his career?

I'd also reckon that Powell will be the type of coach looking to progress Philbin into a more senior pack role and get more of a use from him than brief 10 minute cameos. Certainly, if Philbin wants to be a top player, he will need to start contributing more than what he did for most of last season, where he was a little underwhelming.

Nothing wrong with being the best at your role. Props rotate, you need to work out your strengths and be the best at that bit. He is a bowling ball, and that can change momentum.

I agree Brand didn’t look great in the limited time he had with us. Also agree that Thewlis and Wrench are really exciting prospects. The issue for me is that we have very thin cover for outside backs in the squad. Let’s hope Ashton and King stay injury free next season

Definitely. However, I'm struggling to recall the last time he made much of an impact, either when starting or coming off the bench.

2019 I think.

2022 is a big year for him, I hope he doesn't turn in to one of those players who only picks up form when his contract renewal is coming around (given he is contracted till the end of 2024!) Same comment for Toby King, 2 players who now need to be stepping up to be senior players, delivering week in week out. Both looked great up until they signed new terms, and fell away after doing so.

Quote: The Speculator "Definitely. However, I'm struggling to recall the last time he made much of an impact, either when starting or coming off the bench.'" I wonder if https://gripzofficial.com/ (his clothing business) is distracting him?

Quote: The Speculator "Definitely. However, I'm struggling to recall the last time he made much of an impact, either when starting or coming off the bench.'" I wonder if https://gripzofficial.com/ (his clothing business) is distracting him?