Sam Burgess gives George Williams update after Warrington Wolves star misses out

Warrington Wolves won in the capital yesterday with a 36-22 win over London Broncos but several first-team stars missed out, including captain George Williams, who Sam Burgess has provided an update on.

Williams was one of five senior players who was absent alongside Josh Thewlis, Ben Currie, Matty Nicholson and Luke Yates, however, all barring Nicholson and Williams had not been included in the initial 21-man squad.

With skipper Williams missing out, it meant Sam Powell shifted into the halves alongside Josh Drinkwater whilst Nicholson was covered easily given Warrington’s huge depth in their pack as John Bateman and Adam Holroyd lined up in the second row.

There were also returns from injury for Toby King and Joe Philbin with James Harrison returning after suspension as Sam Burgess flexed the muscles of his impressive squad.

The Warrington Wolves boss spoke post-game to explain the reasons behind George Williams’ absence.

Warrington Wolves rotate due to Williams’ niggle

Sam Burgess spoke post-game to Matt Turner of The Warrington Guardian and explained that fans had little to fear regarding George Williams, who had missed time last year due to an ankle injury.

Burgess explained: “He’s played a lot and he plays pretty tough. We decided late on to give him a rest as he had a slight niggle so we decided not to risk it. It was a last-minute call really.”

Worries over Nicholson and the other three starters not named in the 21-man squad were also quashed as Burgess explained rotation was the reason, as opposed to injury.

“They’ve all played a lot. Nicho (Matty Nicholson) has played a lot and played big minutes. Yatesy (Luke Yates) has too, albeit at a different club.

“The guys that came in are great players too – I don’t think we were a weakened side.”

One of the players who came in, full-back Cai Taylor-Wray, earned plaudits from Burgess when he spoke on Sky Sports to confirm that starter Matt Dufty wasn’t injured when subbed off, but instead rested.

Speaking about Taylor-Wray, Burgess explained: “Cai’s a magical player and just trying to get him some game time wherever I can.”