Super League champions must not become complacent as Bevan French admits: ‘We’ve still got plenty left to do’

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors star Bevan French insists his side must not become complacent following the successes of 2023, with admittedly lots left to learn.

Head coach Matt Peet guided the club to the top of the table and to Super League glory in just his second year in charge, having claimed the Challenge Cup during his debut season.

With a stacked squad and a young average age, the Cherry & Whites have been tipped for a new era of dominance, much like the one that saw St Helens claim a record four successive titles from 2019 to 2022.

However, the 28-year-old admits there’s still plenty for the squad to learn.

He said: “Even though we have won trophies and other accolades, you’ve still got to turn up with the attitude to learn and improve every week.

“Trophies and all that are a long way away.

“We’ve got to focus on continuing to learn.

We can’t think that we’ve got nothing else to learn, we’ve still got plenty left to do.”

French heads into the 2024 season with a return to his shirt number six, having shifted to the halves midway through the previous campaign to partner Harry Smith.

Last year saw him undertake the stand-off role for the first time, having started at full-back upon his switch from the NRL before playing on the wing in the early stages of last season.

With the move allowing Jai Field to revert back to full-back, French admits he told head coach Peet that he had played the position before - essentially tricking the 39-year-old.

It was however a white lie that ultimately paid off, winning their first title in five years with a 10-2 Grand Final win over Catalans Dragons last October.

“I wouldn’t have lied if I wasn’t comfortable or confident,” French jokes.

We have Tommy Leuluai in the coaching staff who is one of the greats of the club having played in the halves.

“Then Sean O’Loughlin as well in the coaching staff and the players here at the club who know what they’re doing.

“I wasn’t shying away.

“If it didn’t pay off, who knows where I’d be!”

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[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors prepared to ‘be the hunted’ says skipper ahead of title-defending season

Liam Farrell says his team-mates know that they will be the hunted in 2024 - but the reigning champions must focus on their own game and remain consistent in order to repeat successes of last season.

The veteran back-rower heads into his second season as Wigan’s captain, having been handed the reins following the retirement of club legend Thomas Leuluai at the conclusion of the 2022 Super League campaign.

Farrell, 33, led the Warriors to their first Super League title in five years, defeating Catalans Dragons 10-2 at Old Trafford in the previous season, with a new era of dominance predicted with an average squad age of 24.

“We know that we’re going to be the hunted, we’re the Super League champions,” Farrell admits.

Teams have signed really well this year and they’re going to be chasing us down, but we have to make sure we set standards high for ourselves and hopefully we can have a really good year.”

Head coach Matt Peet added six new recruits to his squad during the off-season, with each player having featured during the club’s pre-season schedule.

Kruise Leeming and Luke Thompson head the list, while back-rower Sam Walters will miss the start of the season due to a broken collarbone sustained against Hull.

Tiaki Chan, Sam Eseh and Adam Keighran have also joined the packed Cherry & White outfit.

“We’ve had some new, quality signings,” Farrell said.

“The biggest thing for them at the moment is to integrate with the group and to bring their qualities to the group.

“Everyone has worked hard, and I think most clubs will say that this time of the year.

“But we just have to do it consistently throughout the year and make sure we set standards for ourselves.


“If someone’s not up to scratch, we’ll have to make sure that they are.

“We have to remember as well we lost some quality players at the end of last year, so the new players coming in have got to integrate into the group and make sure they’re bringing their best as well.

“The season is getting close now and we’re excited.”


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