One off contract player Wigan Warriors need to tie down

Though the 2023 Super League season has yet to begin, preparations for beyond that will have already begun especially as most sides have already done all their business for the 2023 barring the likes of Catalans Dragons, Leigh Leopards and potentially Salford Red Devils.

As in the NRL, considerations will be made to how squads for the 2024 season will look especially after they set the precedent down under of making signings well in advance because of the 1st November rule.

All sides have players off contract at the end of 2023 and they will definitely want to secure some of these players down moving forward, and we will likely start to see this happen sooner rather than later especially as current clubs are allowed to underline what they intend for their current players coming off contract and essentially have first dibs.

So, considering this, which off contract player should Wigan Warriors look to tie down for 2024 and beyond?

The Warriors have already lost one of their players whose contract expires in 2023 in the shape of Kai Pearce-Paul.

They have some top players coming to the end of their deals but one name sticks out and that is Morgan Smithies.

The new number 13 following John Bateman’s departure, he is ready to continue the legacy of Sean O’Loughlin and Andy Farrell.