Now that the Rugby League World Cup is over, the focus of every rugby league fan in Britain is now glancing ahead to 2023.
Specifically February and for Super League fans, specifically the 16th February.
Two days after Valentine’s Day, the love for rugby league will be flowing as Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos battle in the first game of the 2023 Super League.
In preparation for the new season, Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity were the first teams to take to pre-season training as two sides who missed out on the play-offs look to right those wrongs in 2023.
The likes of Castleford Tigers, Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils weren’t too far behind them.
Meanwhile, Champions St Helens also got preparations going under new boss Paul Wellens.
Now the latest team to return to training has been confirmed in the shape of Wigan Warriors.
The 2023 season, 151th year in the club’s history, is a big one for Matt Peet’s side.
In 2022 they won a 20th Challenge Cup and finished second after being unbeaten at home during the regular campaign.
However, they were then stunned by Leeds in the Super League semi-final after many expected them to clash with St Helens in the Grand Final.
They spent the year clawing themselves closer and closer to the dominant Saints and after another pre-season under Peet, they will be hoping that they can close the gap completely and win a first Grand Final since 2018.
They have started their preparations this week with the likes of Morgan Smithies and Joe Shorrocks among the first teamers to start training.
They will have to wait for the likes Mike Cooper and Abbas Miski who starred in the World Cup to have a deserved break.