Sons of Super League legends to feature for Wigan Warriors

Wigan Warriors begin their plans for 2024 with a clash against Midlands Hurricanes today.

The Warriors will take a mixture of Academy and Reserves players to the Alexander Stadium on Saturday (2pm K.O.) to face the League One side in the first of three pre-season matches.

The Warriors have named a 22-player squad for the trip to Birmingham, which consists of Academy and Reserves players.

Eight Warriors who were a part of the first team’s pre-season camp in Portugal have been named in Saturday’s squad, including new signings Tiaki Chan and Sam Eseh Jr.

Among the squad though was the son of Keith Mason Lukas who is starting in a back row with Tiaki Chan at 13.

Meanwhile, the son of Wigan Warriors legend Sean O’Loughlin, who has been a try scoring sensation through the age ranks at Wigan, George O’Loughlin starts at centre.

Midlands Hurricanes finished 8th in League One last season after winning five of their 18 league matches, which included two victories on home soil.

The Hurricanes ended the season with confidence under head coach Mark Dunning, who guided Midlands to back-to-back victories at London Skolars and Oldham to close the campaign.

Wigan Warriors excited ahead of clash

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash, Wigan Warriors Head of Youth, Shane Eccles said to the club’s website: “Everyone’s really excited for this test as it’s been a long time since we’ve played games. It’s been a tough pre-season with a lot of hard work but everyone is at the point now where we can’t wait to be back on the field.

“It will be a physical test against bigger bodies and experienced players who have played at a higher level. We will be looking for energy, effort and enthusiasm which are all the elements that we associate with being a Wigan player.”

Speaking on the dual-registration agreement between the sides, Eccles added: “It can be really important and beneficial for us, especially with the Reserves only playing alternate weeks.

“It gives us the opportunity to send players out for more game time, but also to be challenged at a higher level and out of their comfort zone. It’s great that we will be able to send players to the Hurricanes who I’m sure will benefit from having some of our younger lads as well.”