2024 Season Preview: Wigan Warriors

The Wigan Warriors are the ones to beat in 2024, as they enter another one of their dominant periods, in modern times.

The Warriors were crowned Betfred Super League Champions in 2023 following their famous win over Catalans at Old Trafford, as well as clinching the League Leaders' Shield in what was an outstanding season. And they are a force to be reckoned with in 2024, as Matt Peet's men will undoubtedly be aiming for another scintillating campaign.

Warriors trio Bevan French, Liam Farrell and Jake Wardle were all included in the 2023 Betfred Super Dream Team, with French, who made more try assists that any other player in Super League last year, deservedly snapping up the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Award and joining a long line of rugby league greats.

Welcome back, lads! ?#WWRL pic.twitter.com/IyVbNwiHa5
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 4, 2024

It is difficult to see the Warriors achieving anything other than one of the top spots and competing for additional silverware in the upcoming campaign, given the eye-catching recruitment, array of talent within the team, and winning culture Peet has built around the club.

Ins & outs

Ins

Kruise Leeming (Gold Coast Titans), Adam Keighran (Catalans Dragons), Tiaki Chan (Catalans Dragons), Sam Walters (Leeds Rhinos), Luke Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs), Sam Eseh (Wakefield Trinity).

Outs

Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights), Toby King (Warrington Wolves - returning to parent club from loan spell), Kavan Rothwell (Leigh Leopards), Logan Astley, Kieran Tyrer (both Oldham RLFC), Cade Cust, Joe Shorrocks (both Salford Red Devils), Iain Thornley (Wakefield Trinity), Moran Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Sam Powell (Warrington Wolves), Ramon Silva (Barrow Raiders), Joe Baldwin (North Wales Crusaders).

Ones to watch

2024 stars

Wigan have assembled an extremely strong and formidable squad, and it is one that boasts quality in every department and has been further bolstered by several new arrivals for 2024. They have also secured the signings of their stars Jai Field and Abbas Miski for another four years, which is a huge statement of intent for Wigan's future and their continuation and expectation of success.

They'll be some exciting partnerships and combinations to watch out for in 2024, and Bevan French continues to be one of the key men for the Warriors. Starting off the 2023 competition at full-back, French soon found a new home in the halves, where he would go on to form an extraordinary partnership with the consistent Harry Smith.

Playing at stand-off became the perfect position for French to utilise his creative skills and abilities alongside his searing pace, and this, combined with the Warriors backline, is what made the reigning Champions one of the most dangerous attacks last time out. With expectations firmly on French heading into 2024, will he be able to deliver once more?

Abbas Miski was also impressed in 2023 and was ever present in his first proper season for the Warriors since Round 7, ending the regular league campaign in remarkable fashion as joint top-try scorer alongside Catalans Dragons' Tom Johnstone. Linking up with his team mates to produce a series of breath-taking tries, fans will be hoping to witness more of the same in the 2024 Super League competition.  

?? Running into another day of training like...#WWRL pic.twitter.com/En7Y6gAjY3
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 16, 2024

Next generation

The future looks bright for Wigan with an array of young talent emerging at the club. This includes committed young Brad O'Neill, who cemented himself as a key member of the Warriors side in 2023, earning a Super League Young Player of the Year nomination and going on to become the first choice hooker ahead of veteran Sam Powell. O'Neill will be hoping he can do the same in 2024, as Matt Peet has awarded the youngster Wigan's number 9 shirt for his exceptional efforts - a fantastic achievement for the 21-year-old.

Another next generation and arriving from Wakefield Trinity, promising prop forward Sam Eseh Jr will be stepping up and learning what life is really like as a Wigan Warrior. Eseh was crowned Championship Young Player of the Year in 2022, before being rewarded with his Super League debut the following year and having a huge impact in the Wakefield side. Predicted by many to have an extremely bright future in the game, Eseh's powerful and explosive style could mean he is the perfect fit for Matt Peet's team.

Defining dates

Wigan will represent the Betfred Super League, when they welcome Penrith Panthers, the current NRL Champions to the DW Stadium, in what is set to be a showpiece Betfred World Club Challenge. This will take place on Saturday 24th February in front of a sell-out crowd, and will be the Warriors' ninth attempt at becoming World Club Champions, having claimed the title most recently in 2017.

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Our World Club Challenge clash against @PenrithPanthers at the DW Stadium has now sold out!

We cannot wait for a spectacular occasion this February! ?#WWRL #WorldClubChallenge pic.twitter.com/wzQ5wrjTba
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 22, 2024

The Warriors must hope that this mouth-watering clash does not pose any threats to the start of their regular season. Fans will cast their minds back to the 2023 Betfred World Club Challenge and the effects that followed rivals St Helens, when they competed and phenomenally won against Penrith in the Southern Hemisphere.

Thankfully for Wigan, they do not need to travel such distance. But despite all eyes focusing on the 'Clash of the Champions', Matt Peet's men will need to ensure they maintain and do not lose focus on the season ahead of them, as they look to sustain and repeat their success.

2024 will also see fierce rivals Wigan and St Helens go head-to-head in a blockbuster Magic WKND clash - only the second time since 2012 that Wigan have faced Saints at Magic. Elland Road's current capacity of around 37,000 is expected to be tested on this day, and this Round 22 clash in August could have a big impact on league standings, as the countdown to the play-offs intensifies.

Can the Warriors retain their crown and look to claim it all in 2024?

Squad list

1. Jai Field, 2. Abbas Miski, 3. Adam Keighran, 4. Jake Wardle, 5. Liam Marshall, 6. Bevan French, 7. Harry Smith, 8. Ethan Havard, 9. Brad O'Neill, 10. Liam Byrne, 11. Willie Isa, 12. Liam Farrell, 13. Kaide Ellis, 14. Mike Cooper, 15. Patrick Mago, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Kruise Leeming, 18. Warriors Fans, 19. Tyler Dupree, 20. Harvie Hill, 21. Junior Nsemba, 22. Sam Walters, 23. Ryan Hampshire, 24. Tiaki Chan, 25. Sam Eseh, 26. Zach Eckersley, 27. Tom Forber, 28. Jacob Douglas, 29. Harvey Makin, 30. Jack Farrimond.