Wigan Warriors’ Iain Thornley suffers major injury blow

Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet has confirmed that centre Iain Thornley will face a spell on the sidelines after limping off during the club’s game with Hull KR.

Peet has confirmed that Thornley – who only returned to Wigan in the off-season after spells at Leigh Centurions and Catalans Dragons – will be out for around two months.

“It is really upsetting for him personally, he worked really hard in pre-season,” Peet said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Wigan’s clash with Leeds Rhinos.

“I’m disappointed for him because he gave himself the best chance of hitting the ground running.

We’ll stick to the changes we made with Zak (Hardaker) on the wing.”

Peet also confirmed that Bevan French will not be returning to the DW Stadium this week after he tested positive for Covid-19 as he tried to board a plane.

The Australian was set to fly home to Manchester Airport and reunite with the Warriors, but that will now be delayed following the news.

“Believe it or not, when he got to the airport he tested positive for Covid, so that wasn’t ideal.

“With him waiting so long, he’s upset but it puts things on hold for eight or nine days.

“In the next couple of days hopefully, we’ll get some good news – as soon as he gets a negative test, he will be on the next flight.”