Matt Peet provides hint for Round One selection as he gives debuts in Wigan Warriors side

Wigan Warriors hooker Sam Powell has been granted a testimonial year by the RFL for 2023.

Powell will lead out his hometown club in a pre-season friendly against Salford Red Devils at the DW Stadium on Sunday 5th February (3pm kick-off) to begin his testimonial year.

This will be the Warriors’ final pre-season fixture ahead of the 2023 campaign and the game will see the full first team squad involved.

Powell will also launch his own testimonial shirt soon, which will be worn for the game against Salford.

The 30-year-old hooker is a one-club man since arriving at the Wigan Academy from Wigan St Patricks ARLFC at the age of 16.

After making his try-scoring debut against Hull FC in 2012, Powell has cemented himself as a regular in the Wigan hooker position.

Winning five major honours so far, Powell made his 250th appearance for the club in Wigan’s final game of 2022.

His honours in a Wigan shirt include two Super League Grand Finals (2016 and 2018), a World Club Challenge (2017) and two League Leaders’ Shields (2012 and 2020).

Powell has also represented England, featuring for the Knights team and most recently the senior side – making his debut against Fiji in a World Cup warm-up match in September this year.

After signing a new two-year deal with Wigan in 2022, which will see him stay at the club at least until the end of 2024, Powell will celebrate his testimonial year in his 11th season as a professional.

In terms of the team named by Matt Peet, he has named numbers one to seven in the backs with Jai Field, Bevan French, Liam Marshall, Cade Cust and Harry Smith named.

Meanwhile, Toby King and Jake Wardle debut in the centres.

Interestingly, Mike Cooper and Ethan Havard start at prop with Brad Singleton on the bench meanwhile there is no Liam Byrne.

Kai Pearce-Paul and Liam Farrell start in the backrow with Morgan Smithies at 13 in his new number.

Of course Sam Powell starts at nine.

With Round One less than two weeks away, it seems this could be close to their line up for the opening game against Hull KR.

📰 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦

🍒⚪Here is how your Warriors line up today for @Pow9Rl 's Testimonial game vs @SalfordDevils !#WWRL pic.twitter.com/J2bu0ANOIO

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) February 5, 2023