Predicting defending champions Wigan Warriors line-up for 2024

Wigan Warriors had a fantastic season in 2023, as they romped to the League Leaders Shield and won the Super League Grand Final; however they now come into the 2024 campaign with a target on their backs. They have tasted silverware in both of Matty Peet’s seasons at the helm, as they also lifted the Challenge Cup in 2022, but they will be keen to show there recent success is no flash in the pan, and turn their recent success under Peet into a period of dominance. 

They have seen a pretty big change to their title-winning squad this off-season, as Toby King returned back to the Wire, and he was swiftly followed by Sam Powell. Joe Shorrocks and Cade Cust also left the DW as made the switch to Salford, and Kai Pearce-Paul departed to NRL side Newcastle Knights; but with every exit came a new signing. The Warriors have recruited brilliantly this off-season, adding real fire power to their pack in the form of former St Helens prop Luke Thompson, and former Leeds Rhinos duo Sam Walters and Kruise Leeming.

But with all these new additions, how will the Warriors line up next season? Here is a potential Wigan Warriors squad for the 2024 season.

Full-back: Jai Field 

This one picks itself, but Jai Field looks set to keep his spot at full-back. The talented Australian is an X-factor player for Wigan, and is always on hand to produce a brilliant highlight-reel moment. He was influential in their great run of form last season, and will need to be at the top of his game again this year.

Wingers: Liam Marshall and Abbas Miski

The star partnership out wide looks set to continue. Liam Marshall and Abbas Miski both had outstanding individual campaigns last time out. Miski burst onto the scene to become one of the most potent finishers in the league, and Marshall also grabbed himself a hat-full of tries; and let’s not forget it was his try that brought silverware back to Wigan in the Grand Final. They look set for another big year in Cherry and White.

Centres: Joe Wardle and Adam Keighran 

Wigan will be without last year’s star centre Toby King, as he has returned to the Halliwell Jones, but Adam Keighran looks like the perfect replacement. The former Catalans man is a brilliant ball-playing centre, and will really help take the pressure off Smith and French (spoiler alert) in the halves. He is also a brilliant kicker from the tee, and this again will help take the pressure off of Smith. He will likely feature alongside Joe Wardle. Wardle’s debut season in Cherry and White was nothing short of brilliant. He was a major part of their success last season, and earned himself England honours in the process. He was unlucky to miss the Tonga series through injury, but this will only make him hungrier to get that shirt back in 2024.

Half-backs: Harry Smith and Bevan French

This duo were the heartbeat of the Warriors side last year, and will again need to be at the peak of their game if Wigan want a repeat of last season. Bevan French’s switch to six saw him reinvent his game and go from try scorer to try creator, and it helped power Wigan to glory. The reigning Man of Steel effortlessly moved into the halves, and now he has that half-season under his belt, he should feel at home in the halves in 2024. Alongside him is Harry Smith. Smith was fabulous for Wigan last season, however he truly shone during on England duty. He was brilliant in all three tests, and was named Man of the Series. This really rubberstamped the end of season form Smith was in last year, and Matty Peet will be hoping he can repeat this in Cherry and White.

Props: Tyler Dupree and Liam Byrne 

The Warriors have brought in a new look pack this season, but two of last year’s unit make our starting team. Tyler Dupree and Liam Byrne will likely start in the front-row for Matty Peet’s side next year, with Yorkshire Live reporting Ethan Havard will miss the start of the season after having surgery. Former Salford man Dupree shone from the off following his move to the DW, and will be hoping for more of the same this year. Liam Byrne was another player who impressed last season, however he went slightly under the radar compared to those around him. He made a lot of work for himself across the park, and would do the ugly stuff very well. The middle unit for the Warriors is incredibly strong this year, but these two could easily be in pole position to start.

Hooker: Kruise Leeming 

Kruise Leeming has made the switch from the Gold Coast to Wigan this off-season, and he definitely comes back with a point to prove following his dramatic early season exit from Leeds Rhinos last season. His time down under will also have made him a better player, and Matty Peet will be hoping to reap the rewards of that in 2024. He comes into the side for the Warrington-bound Sam Powell, but he could easily be the perfect replacement.

Second-rowers: Sam Walters and Liam Farrell

Another former Rhino makes our Wigan side in the form of Sam Walters. Walters was a bright spark in an otherwise dark year for the Rhinos last season, and he looks to be a brilliant addition to the Warriors side. He is capable of playing as a prop or in the back-row, which just adds to his value in this new look Warriors pack. He will likely line-up alongside Liam Farrell. Farrell has a wealth of experience, and showed last year he is still one of the best forwards in Super League. He will also be hurting following his limited International minutes in the Tonga series, but this could make him even hungrier to perform for his club side.

Loose forward: Luke Thompson 

The headline signing for the Warriors slots in at loose forward for the time being. Former St Helens forward Luke Thompson is a huge signing for Matty Peets side. He not only brings experience from his time wearing the red vee, but his time in the NRL will only have made him a better player than when he left. The Warriors may have brought in a new look pack, but the departure of Joe Shorrocks and Morgan Smithies leaves them short in the 13 shirt, but Thompson could easily fill this gap.

Replacements

Brad O’Neil 

O’Neil showed last year he is a quality hooker, and he will add plenty of quality coming off the bench next year for the Warriors.

Kaide Ellis 

Kaide Ellis is a powerful forward, and can add plenty of impact from the bench when the game starts to break up.

Patrick Mago 

Patrick Mago excelled in the impact forward role at the end of last season, and he will likely have a similar role this campaign.

Junior Nsemba 

Young Junior Nsemba has impressed when given first team minutes, and will learn plenty coming off the bench regularly in 2024.