Warrington Wolves have made Hull KR treble winner Kelepi Tanginoa their seventh signing ahead of the 2026 Super League season and we’ve looked at what Sam Burgess’ strongest side may look like.
Tanginoa is a late addition to the squad, signing after Wire had confirmed their squad numbers which had caused somewhat of a stir anyway.
Former Super League Man of Steel nominee Matt Dufty did not retain the number one shirt with young gun Cai Taylor-Wray claiming that shirt in an apparent suggestion as to who will star at full-back in 2026.
Just one new signing took a shirt number inside the starting XIII with ex-NRL man Albert Hopoate handed the number four jersey.
Following Tanginoa’s addition, we’ve looked at what would be the strongest Warrington Wolves starting XIII and four interchanges heading into 2026, providing everyone is healthy.
How Sam Burgess could line Warrington Wolves up in 2026
Full-back: Cai Taylor-Wray
The shirt number one seems to say it all in that Taylor-Wray will be the starting full-back for Warrington and it’s a move that makes sense given his immense talent but also the disciplinary issues that Matt Dufty showcased in 2026, being omitted from the squid on multiple occasions due to internal matters.
Wingers: Matty Ashton and Josh Thewlis
When fit, this pair might just be the best wing duo in Super League but it could be some time before both are fully firing with Ashton seeing his 2026 campaign end due to ACL and MCL injuries. That was confirmed back in May and the hope is that Ashton will be back in the spring. In his absence, Thewlis and his younger brother Jake stepped up, with Josh bagging 13 tries and almost 2,400 metres.
Centres: Arron Lindop and Albert Hopoate
Another pairing where injuries could stop them taking to the field at the same time with Lindop another to see his 2025 season end, whilst Hopoate suffered a number of significant injuries at Canberra. Both youngsters are incredible talents though and would likely be preferred to Toby King, whilst fellow signing Josh Smith is another option.
Halves: George Williams and Marc Sneyd
Warrington Wolves have one of the most exciting young halves in rugby league, not just English rugby league, in Ewan Irwin but he’ll develop and learn behind two of the best in George Williams and Marc Sneyd. Williams had a down year in 2025 but the addition of Steve McNamara to the coaching staff could bring fresh ideas and get the England skipper firing.
Hooker: Danny Walker
Another who suffered a bad injury in 2025 but Danny Walker is a top five hooker in Super League and he’ll continue to start with Sam Powell backing him up.
Props: Luke Yates and James Harrison
Luke Yates signed with Warrington appearing set to play loose forward but he’s transitioned to a prop role, akin to Matty Lees at St Helens, playing long minutes and being a fearsome tackler. He’ll likely pair with James Harrison with impact set to arrive from the bench.
Second-rowers: Sam Stone and James Bentley
Two new permanent additions in Stone and Bentley, though Stone did end the season on loan from Salford. Bentley’s addition was more of a shock given his release from Leeds having only signed a long-term deal in April.
Loose forward: Ben Currie
As Yates transitioned to prop, it was second-rower, and makeshift centre at times in 2025, Ben Currie who moved to loose forward and that seems a permanent move with the veteran handed the number 13 shirt for 2025.
Interchanges: Kelepi Tanginoa, Toafofoa Sipley, Liam Byrne, Jordy Crowther
It could be a very forward heavy bench for Warrington with Jordy Crowther having the potential to play as the back-up hooker if needed, whilst also covering other positions in the pack. New signings Sipley, Byrne and Tanginoa will all offer massive impact and what’s impressive is that beyond this bench are players such as Sam Powell, Adam Holroyd, Joe Philbin, as well as backs Toby King, Matty Dufty, Josh Smith, and playmakers Leon Hayes, Ewan Irwin and Oli Leyland, plus many more.
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