Super League side announce new pre-season fixture just days before their opening game

Warrington Wolves have taken to Twitter to announce another of their pre-season friendlies, however they’re set to play just six days before they kick the Super League campaign off in the season opener.

The Wire will host North Wales Crusaders on Friday 10th February less than a week before they host Leeds Rhinos for the first game of the 2023 Super League season.

The game is a late announcement to their pre-season schedule and ciuld serve as a run out for the younger players or fringe players in Daryl Powell’s squad given the quick turnaround.

🚨 𝐅𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

We will face @NWCrusaders in our second and final pre-season game at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday 10 Feb

Members will gain free access. Full ticket info will be released in due course. pic.twitter.com/OKI5JZmmit

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 5, 2023

Obviously in the regular season a six day turn around is nothing too special but it seems strange that they’re opting to fit in this last minute friendly at such a late date given the risk of injuries.

The late notice of the game could come due to the fact that Warrington only had one pre-season friendly scheduled with that being Ben Currie’s testimonial match so this fixture against the Welsh side will offer them another opportunity to get some gametime under their belts.

That game will be played against Leigh Leopards on February 4th, the Wire opting not to play any pre-season games in January which is a different approach to most of their Super League counterparts.

The 2023 season will be one of great scrutiny following the poor 2022 campaign that saw them finish in 11th place.

Crusaders also announced news of the game via their Twitter.

⚫️🟡PRESEASON FIXTURE🟡⚫️

Crusaders will travel to the Halliwell Jones Stadium next month to take on Warrington Wolves. The game will take place on Friday February 10th with kick off at 7.30pm. Ticket details will be announced shortly.#OurTime #RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/Xaoy2kZMy3

— North Wales Crusaders (@NWCrusaders) January 5, 2023

It’ll be a chance to see some of the younger Wire players, or potentially some of the new signings who might need bleeding into the squad such as NRL imports Paul Vaughan, Josh McGuire and Adam Keighran.