In focus: Ethan Havard

[josie andrews]

Ten facts about Wigan Warriors’ latest Academy graduate, Ethan Havard.

18-year-old has been named in a Wigan 19-man squad for the first time.

Prop forward could make his professional debut against Wakefield Trinity on Thursday.

After his inclusion in a Wigan Warriors 19-man squad for the first time, we take a closer look at 18-year-old Ethan Havard

Born on the 26th October 2000, he was named as Joseph Ethan Havard. The name Joseph is part of a family tradition, as his father is called Joseph Kieron Havard and his grandad is called Joseph Brian Havard, although he does go by the name Ethan.

He was born in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. His parents formerly worked in Sofia, as his mother was a nurse and his father worked in telecommunications.

When Ethan was 6-months-old, his family moved back to England in Bath, before moving to Wigan a few years later – where his father, Kieron, is from.

He first got in to rugby league at the age of five as his father was a coach at Wigan St Patricks ARLFC. Ethan started playing for the Under-7s team when he was 6-years-old.

In 2008, Ethan watched his first Wigan Warriors game as a fan, as he saw Sam Tomkins make his senior debut for the Club, scoring five tries to help the Cherry and Whites thrash Whitehaven 106-8 in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup at the DW Stadium.

In 2012, he went to St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, where he featured for the rugby league team, whilst also playing for Wigan St Patricks ARLFC at all age levels. Swimming and wrestling were two other sports he enjoyed being involved in as he grew up.

After being approached by Wigan, Havard joined the Club’s Scholarship system half-way through 2016. He played the full second year in 2017 and was awarded The Riversiders (Wigan Warriors Supporters Club) Under-16s Player of the Year.

In 2018, he moved up to the Under-19s level in Wigan’s Academy and was part of the Grand Final winning squad that beat Leeds Rhinos 14-6 at the DW Stadium in September. He went on to make 21 appearances and score ten tries throughout the 2018 campaign.

This season, 6ft 3 Havard has sustained his position as prop forward within the Under-19s side, playing 14 games and scoring five tries.

On 16th July, Havard was named as No.42 in the 19-man squad to face Wakefield Trinity in the Betfred Super League.

If he makes his professional debut for the Club at the DW Stadium on Thursday, Ethan will be the 31st player to play for Wigan this season.

https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2019 ... PX6pKkx.99