Marc Sneyd shares honest verdict on his Warrington Wolves’ role amid high praise for Ewan Irwin

Warrington Wolves playmaker Marc Sneyd has given an honest verdict on his current standing at the club amid the rise of young star Ewan Irwin.

Speaking on Sky Sports after a standout performance in Wire’s 42-6 win over Leigh Leopards, Sneyd was asked to describe his current role in the club.

“I’m trying to get back in the team,” the 35-year-old answered with a mixture of humour, humility and honesty.

Saturday’s game against Leigh was the first that he had started since early March with teenage talent Irwin playing in the Challenge Cup win over Goole Vikings, as well as the Super League games against Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos.

Irwin has a difficult second-half in the wind at Headingley but Sam Burgess confirmed post-match that the teen his omission was down to him suffering a ‘bump last week’, with it unclear who would have partnered George Williams had Irwin been fit.

Warrington Wolves in a ‘fortunate position’

Sneyd ensured he seized the opportunity of playing time with both hands as he kicked masterfully and pulled strings in the dominant win, however, the veteran half was full of praise for Irwin.

“It’s one of them, young Ewan’s come in and he’s done a great job, to be fair to him,” Sneyd said.

“You can’t fault him. He’s not looked out of place at all but obviously I want to be playing as well, so it’s one of them, it’s up to Sam who plays them games.”

Going forward, Burgess will have a headache but it’s certainly a good one to have, as Sneyd noted: “Whether it’s me or Ewan, we’ll be giving our best, won’t we? I think we’re in a pretty fortunate position at the minute in that sense.

“Whichever one of us is playing, we’ll do our best for the club.”

Put to him that Irwin could have few better masters to learn from, Sneyd was humble once again as he responded: “He’s got George there as well so he’s got a couple that he can ask questions to if he wants.

“He’s a really good young man, he’s pretty level-headed, pretty grounded, so he’s got a big future, definitely.”

All eyes will be on Sam Burgess’ teamsheet for this week’s Challenge Cup clash against Leigh Leopards to see which half gets the nod.