It’s set to be a new era at Warrington Wolves in 2024 with Sam Burgess being brought in to replace Daryl Powell, whilst there has also been some big spending in recruitment once again. Here’s the line-up that Burgess could send in to his team’s first game in this new campaign.
Fullback: Matt Dufty
The Australian fullback retains the starting shirt this season. He has electric pace which allows him to create plenty of chances for his side, whilst also having a keen eye for the line himself. He was one of the Wire’s standout players during their eight game unbeaten run at the start of last season, and if this version of Dufty shines through again, he could be in for a great year.
Wingers: Matty Ashton and Josh Thewlis
The English duo of Ashton and Thewlis again look likely to feature on the wings. Ashton comes into the season off the back of a great series with England, where he scored three tries in two games. He will be hungry to carry his England form over into Super League duty with Warrington this season.
His fellow England camp-mate Thewlis will likely feature on the other wing. Thewlis was brought into Wane’s England camp late on in the Tonga series, and whilst he didn’t get on the pitch, the young winger would have learned a lot from his time in camp and should
Centres: Toby King and Stefan Ratchford
It’s the return of the King in the centres for Warrington this year, as Toby King looks set to feature alongside Stefan Ratchford. Rodrick Tai will provide plenty of competition for a spot in the side, so King and Ratchford will need to be at the top of their game to stay in the side. Toby King returns to the Wire following a successful loan at Wigan Warriors, and his time at the DW showed he is one of the best centres in the league. His partner Ratchford also brings a wealth of experience to this Wire side, and that will only help improve his team. Ratchford is also fantastic off the tee, and this could prove crucial to his sides success this year.
Halfbacks: Josh Drinkwater and George Williams
The halfback partnership of Drinkwater and Williams will likely keep their places in the Wire team under Sam Burgess. England skipper Williams had an impressive year despite Warrington’s tough end to the season, and when the Wire were at the best he was usually at the heart of it. His partner Josh Drinkwater should keep the seven jersey this year, however he will be hoping for a better year than last.
Props: James Harrison and Paul Vaughan
Harrison and Vaughan should feature in the front row. Vaughan had a stellar first year in Super League, and notably made the Super League Dream Team. He was a notable absentee in the last few games following his controversial four-match ban, which showed just how important he is to his team. His fellow front-rower Harrison is another powerful ball carrier, and does a lot of work through the middle, and should be in Burgess’s thoughts for the first game of the season.
Hooker: Sam Powell
The starting hooker position is probably the area Burgess will get the most headaches from, however we have opted for new addition Sam Powell. Powell has swapped Wigan for Warrington this off-season, and he looks like a brilliant replacement for St Helens-bound Daryl Clark. He faces tough competition, but he proved last year he is a quality hooker, and should make a case to start this year at his new employer.
Second-rowers: Ben Currie and Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Ben Currie looks like he’ll have a new partner with him in the back row this year, as Lachlan Fitzgibbon comes into our Warrington team. Ben Currie had a solid year last time out, however his appearance in the centres for England in the third test showed him at his very best, and this should have pleased the new boss Burgess. Currie is a player who gets through a lot of work on both sides of the ball, and should retain his starting shirt. Alongside him, we’ve picked incoming Lachlan Fitzgibbon. The Australian forward moves to the Wire from NRL side Newcastle Knights, and this looks like a clever piece of business from Warrington. He was great for his old side last year as made the NRL Finals, and if he brings his form from down under to Super League Warrington could be in for a treat.
Loose forward: Jordy Crowther
Jordy Crowther comes into our squad at loose-forward, and he looks set for another big year on the Wire. He joined the squad-initially on loan-half-way through last season, and he impressed from the off with his powerful carrying and all-round work on the pitch. Crowther’s carrying is especially effective as it takes away some of the load on front-rowers Harrison and Vaughan, which could come in handy as the season goes on. Bringing him in on a permanent deal looks to be a clever piece of business from the club going into the 2024 campaign.
Replacements:
Danny Walker
Probably the toughest choice, however Walker looks set to feature from the bench this season following the signing of Powell. Walker is a talented hooker, and his time in the England set-up this year will only make him a better player.
Matty Nicholson
Young Matty Nicholson is another one who will improve from his time in England camps this year, after earning his first cap against France in April. He makes the bench in our Wire team, but he will be used in the middle unit rotation-which could push Crowther up into the front-row.
Zane Musgrove
New addition Zane Musgrove comes onto the bench in our Warrington side. Musgrove is a powerful front-rower and will cause chaos coming off the bench this season. He also knows Sam Burgess well, as the pair played together for South Sydney, so this should help him settle in quickly.
Joe Philbin
Experienced prop Joe Philbin completes the bench. He was a solid player for Warrington last year coming off the bench, and should have a similar role this year.
