Sam Burgess makes Marc Sneyd prediction and hails Warrington Wolves fringe players

Marc Sneyd’s unflappable nature could prove to be a calming influence on Warrington Wolves this weekend, says Sam Burgess.

Sneyd only made the move to Warrington in March, but he’s already shown he is the man for the big occasion with the scrum-half playing a critical role in the club’s Challenge Cup semi-final win over Leigh Leopards last month. And, he now has the opportunity to become a primrose and blue hero on Saturday when Wire play Hull KR in the Challenge Cup final.

The half-back is no stranger to such an occasion having won successive finals and Lance Todd Trophies during his time at Hull FC. As such, he won’t be over-awed by the occasion on Saturday when Warrington head to the national stadium and come kick-off he may well be coolest man on the field.

That level-headedness can be a valuable commodity for the Wolves, who fell short at Wembley last year, and Burgess will be hoping it can rub off on others within the group.

“He’s an impressive guy,” Burgess said on his scrum-half. “We all saw him in the semi-final and we see what he’s capable of.

“He’s a really composed bloke, not too much flusters him and I think the bigger the stage the more he enjoys it. I’m sure he’ll be good for us and have a calming influence throughout the group.

“He’s laid back and he gets the job done. He’s a pretty cool and calm customer. He’s a very well thought out bloke, he studies the game pretty hard and he knows what’s coming, he knows what he to do and he’s got a plan in his head, which I like about him.”

“He’s a very strong character. He came to me this week and said I’m gonna train and play. It’s valuable to have those guys around.”

Sam Burgess on the heroic effort from Marc Sneyd who guided us to Wembley just 16 days after surgery pic.twitter.com/Rmj0ow3oRw

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) May 12, 2025

Warrington Wolves squad selection not straightforward

Of course, Sneyd will be playing alongside the returning George Williams in the halves this weekend, but over the last few weeks he has had a number of partners, with Stefan Ratchford one of those drafted into the side of late.

Ben Harthill, Tom Whitehead and Max Wood are among those to have picked up game time too in recent weeks and they might just have done enough to ensure Burgess’ selection is far from straightforward.

“Throw Jake Thewlis in there as well, he’s been exceptional,” Burgess said when asked about some of the above names. “He’s really getting more comfortable and more confident.

“That is their job, they have to come in and do a job and play well, that’s what they’re paid to do. We understand that players are different ends of the spectrum but we expect them to do a job for sure.

“I’ve been really proud of them, they’ve all done a reasonable job and let’s talk about Ben Harthill, he doesn’t train with us full-time, we’ve only dragged him in the last couple of weeks. He works and trains with the academy and reserves on a night. You have to say he’s done a pretty good job, he’s come in and filled a hole there.”