After two more assists, Warrington Wolves teen star Ewan Irwin has admitted he still believes he can offer more in a message that will terrify opponents.
It’s only been a year since Irwin first appeared in Super League with the then 17-year-old thrust into the action as 18th man against St Helens, and despite only playing seven senior games for Warrington, he already looks like a well-polished playmaker.
For many, including NRL great Andrew Johns, Irwin is the future of English rugby league and if that wasn’t pressure enough, he’s now had to step up in place of England and Warrington captain George Williams.
The teen showed no signs of that pressure affecting him as he put in a Man of the Match display in Warrington’s 34-4 win over Huddersfield Giants with the majority of the action coming in the first half, in which Irwin assisted two tries.
Reflecting on the game, the teen told Sky Sports: “We’re very pleased with the first half. We just said go out in the second half a bit better but we just didn’t do any of that.
“The weather picked up, but we just didn’t do enough. We defended a lot of sets on our line and I don’t think the sin bin helped us.”
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Warrington Wolves teen star reveals Sam Burgess message
Irwin kept Marc Sneyd out of the side earlier in the season but he’s now playing alongside the left-footed general with George Williams out long-term, and that move to stand-off has freed the teen up but also offered him more responsibility.
Asked about that, Irwin responded: “Yeah, 100 per cent, it’s a different challenge, isn’t it?
“George is still speaking to me, I’m constantly learning off him as much as possible and learning off Marc as much as possible as well really. That’s what I’m here for.
“Marc’s done well with me, so it’s nice to get out there and play some good rugby first half, definitely.”
Despite recent performances impressing everyone, head coach Sam Burgess has publicly called for more from the young star, perhaps because he sees just how good Irwin can be, and the teen revealed exactly what it is that his head coach is wanting.
“Yeah, just take on the line a bit more,” he confirmed before claiming: “I still reckon I can do a little bit more, be a bit more confident, but we’re getting there, hopefully.”
Should Irwin be able to take his game to another level then whispers of it possibly being Warrington’s year will certainly grow louder, with Irwin’s performances all the more impressive when you consider he’s still yet to play 10 senior games.
He admitted his current role was unexpected: “If I got a game this year, I’d just take it in my stride. Learn as much as possible and see what happens for next year but it’s definitely come quick and fast, and I’ve just got to take it head on really.”
