Cut Joe Philbin in half and he would bleed Primrose and Blue.
The rampaging forward has become one of Warrington Wolves’ most consistent performers, with his energetic running style and ability to put a big shot on in defence regularly impressing his peers and coaches.
Unfortunately, 2022 hasn’t really gone Philbin’s – or Warrington’s for that matter – way.
And, devastation hit the Wire man last night when he revealed on his social media profile on Instagram that his season is now over due to injury.
Philbin went down awkwardly in Warrington’s 4-0 win over Hull FC last Friday night at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with the Irish international in visible pain as he left the field.
Being carried off between two physios is never a good sign and the prognosis is not good either, with Philbin stating on Instagram: “Well 2022 that’s a wrap. Definitely not gone the way I planned it but now it’s time to put all my energy into recovery and coming back a different beast in 2023.”
With Daryl Powell’s Warrington already experiencing something of a crisis in the pack, it is not exactly good news for the squad, though Powell will be hoping to welcome back veteran prop Kyle Amor into the side after the former St Helens man missed the win over Hull.
Of course, with ex-Castleford Tigers boss Powell recruiting heavily in the front-row for 2023, the rest of 2022 would have given Philbin a chance to stake his claim in front of the likes of Paul Vaughan, Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson.
With the World Cup looming at the end of the year, too, all fingers and toes will be crossed in the hope that the 27-year-old is able to make a full recovery in time for the prestigious competition.
