Paul Vaughan on the expectations and impressive recruitment at new club Warrington Wolves

Warrington Wolves are looking to bounce back from a below-par 2022 season where they finished 11th with a return to the play-offs and one of their new signings is open about what is expected of the Wire.

Fans and players alike will have expected a far more successful 2022 season and new signing, Paul Vaughan, is holding himself to those expectations and standards heading into 2023.

Vaughn, who has represented both Italy and Australia at international levels, is joining from Canterbury Bulldogs and will link up with another Australian NRL signing, Josh McGuire, with the duo having played together at St George Illawarra, where McGuire signs from.

The others pieces to the puzzle that Daryl Powell has added in an attempt to reverse the form of 2022 are Catalans Dragons’ trio Gil Dudson, Josh Drinkwater and Sam Kasiano whilst former Wire player Matty Russell has joined from another French side, Toulouse Olympique.

Speaking to The Sportsman, Vaughan was upbeat: “I think just looking over the squad with the forward pack and the outside backs as well as the spine, then it’s a pretty good pack.

“Like I said, we’ve recruited pretty well and the team looks pretty strong. George (Williams) just started this week after a well-earned rest after the World Cup, he killed it in the World Cup, so it’s good to have everyone on deck and working towards the same goal.”

Williams will look up with new signing Josh Drinkwater in the halves with the spine being completed by Matt Dufty at full-back and Daryl Clark at hooker, a formidable set of four key players who will surely help right the wrongs of 2022.

Vaughan seems to think so as he continued: “Looking towards the season, i think with the pack that we have, there’s going to be a lot of expectation and it’s going to be pretty exciting.”

The Wire face their first opponent of pre-season very late with Ben Currie’s testimonial game against Leigh Leopards not scheduled until 4th February.

Only last week did Warrington add in a further pre-season game that’s slated to be played on February 10th, just six days ahead of their Super League opener against Leeds Rhinos, with North Wales Crusaders visiting the Halliwell Jones.