Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet hopes that his side do winger Liam Marshall proud this weekend, in what is his testimonial fixture.
Marshall has been rewarded with a year-long celebration, that honours his service to the Wigan first team.
Making his debut in 2017, and in his first season scored 23 tries in 24 matches. Try scoring would become a formality for the winger, and in six seasons since then he has scored 15 or more in a campaign.
Peet, who is entering his fifth full season as Warriors boss, congratulated the 29-year-old on his achievements, and commented on what Liam means to the squad and the supporters.
In an interview posted on the club website, he said: “Like me, the fans love Liam to bits.
“The way he conducts himself around the town with the supporters, he’s had some outstanding moments in a Wigan shirt, but he’s one of those players who week in, week out, turns up and runs his blood to water. We’re all on the same page when it comes to paying tribute to Liam.
The game will see Wigan face Hull FC, as the Black and Whites travel to the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday.
In what is the first pre-season game for the majority of the first team, Peet has said that after all the off-season training, the roster can’t wait to take to the field for the first time in 2026.
He said: “The players want to get out there and play – this is the first opportunity for a long time to do so. It’ll be a strong team, it’ll be exciting, and it’ll be a great event for everyone to come out and support Liam Marshall.”
Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here.
Matt Peet gives Wigan Warriors training camp verdict and looks ahead to Challenge Cup
Wigan have recently come back from a warm weather training camp in Tenerife, as they look to get some solid testing into the bodies of the players, whilst it bonded them as a squad, too.
Th Warriors aren’t the only side to travel to the canaries this off-season, with Leeds and Hull KR, among others, doing the same.
“I was very pleased,” Peet said in regards to the warm trip away. “You get longer, and more, sessions on the field in excellent conditions which means the quality of training increases.
“It’s an outstanding complex where we were based and we are all really appreciative of Mike [Danson], Kris [Radlinski] and the board for supporting us. The players responded by working incredibly hard, and we have returned to Robin Park Arena to continue our preparation for Sunday.”
“In pre-season you get a chance to revisit what you want to be about as a group and individually, but it’s more about your day-to-day actions. How you work, how you look after and speak to one another as well as the people around you.”
“Some of the lads have made some big gains physically, through testing, which is being transferred into their skill and tactical work in training. I don’t like singling players out or putting pressure on them, but the fans will notice this weekend how great the players are looking.”
Following Marshall’s testimonial fixture on Sunday, Wigan will open their competitive season with an away trip to Rochdale Hornets in the Challenge Cup.
Peet is looking forward to that challenge, particularly due to the geography between the two clubs.
“Rochdale have always been a proud club with a lot of outstanding players throughout their history,” he said. “They always do a great job in competing and it will be great to go to another north west side who will challenge us.”
