2023 Season Preview: Warrington Wolves

The end of the 2022 Betfred Super League season could not come quick enough for Warrington Wolves. A disastrous first year in charge for Daryl Powell saw his side finish eleventh in the league table - one spot above relegation - and the clubs worst ever finish to a Super League season.

Powell has made wholesale changes to his squad during the off-season - particularly in the forward pack - in a bid to amend last year's failings. Those reinforcements will provide plenty of grunt through the middle and give the likes of George Williams and Matt Dufty more opportunity to showcase their impressive running games. Pressure will be on the Wolves in 2023 as we wait to see whether they can bounce back from a horror year.

Ins & outs

Ins 

Sam Kasiano (Catalans Dragons), Paul Vaughan (Canterbury Bulldogs), Josh McGuire (St George Illawarra Dragons), Gil Dudson (Catalans Dragons), Josh Drinkwater (Catalans Dragons), Matty Russell (Toulouse Olympique)

Outs 

Jack Hughes (Leigh Leopards), Gareth Widdop (Castleford Tigers), Matt Davis (Leigh Leopards), Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards), Jason Clark (Limoux Grizzlies), Toby King (Wigan Warriors, loan), Ellis Longstaff (Salford Red Devils, loan), Riley Dean (Featherstone Rovers, loan)

Ones to watch

2023 stars

George Williams silenced his critics after a stellar World Cup campaign for England. The Warrington Wolves half-back received some undue criticism during the 2022 Super League season, but his effort could never be faltered. Williams was central to the Wolves attacking threat last season and finished with a club high 21 try assists - in fact, he was the only player in the Warrington squad to reach double figures for try assists in 2022.

The arrival of Josh Drinkwater should take some of the weight off Williams' shoulders and give him more freedom to play off the cuff, as well as playing behind a much-improved forward pack. If the Wolves find their feet in 2023, expect Williams to thrive.

Matt Dufty, immediate impact ?@WarringtonRLFC's new No.1 in 2023 ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/RdMdPyxEqG
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) January 12, 2023

The arrival of Matt Dufty mid-way through the 2022 Super League season ignited a spark in Warrington's side. Although the results didn't always reflect it, Dufty lifted his side and showed in just six games the potential he has to be one of the most devastating players in the competition.

In those six appearances, Dufty crossed for five tries, assisted three more, carried on average over 100 metres per game and made a whopping 33 tackle busts. With a full pre-season under his belt and extra artillery in the Wolves side, Dufty will only get better in 2023.

Next generation

It may be hard to believe that Josh Thewlis is still just 20 years old. He made his Warrington debut in 2019 and featured 19 times last season. This year, he?s been handed the number two shirt and is likely to cement a regular starting spot on the wing. Just like his opposite winger Matty Ashton did last season, Thewlis can make a wing spot his own and come of age in the Wolves squad this year. He has all the attributes to be a star and could be a contender for the 2023 Young Player of the Year award.

Defining dates

All eyes will again be on Daryl Powell's side at the start of 2023 and fans will be expecting an immediate response. It's important they start the season well and build momentum early on, with nothing less than a top six finish being the mark of a successful year. 

The Wolves' season gets underway against the Rhinos and Daryl Powell will be hoping to emulate his sides 2022 Round 1 win against the same opposition. That's followed by a trip to the John Smith's Stadium to face the Giants - the Wolves failed to beat Huddersfield twice away from home in 2022. They then welcome 2022 Play-Off Semi-Finalists Salford Red Devils to the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Round 3 - a game that always delivers an absorbing contest.

Squad list

1. Matt Dufty, 2. Josh Thewlis, 3. Pete Mata'utia, 4. Stefan Ratchford, 5. Matty Ashton, 6. George Williams, 7. Josh Drinkwater, 8. James Harrison, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Ben Currie, 12. Matty Nicholson, 13. Josh McGuire, 14. Sam Kasiano, 15. Joe Philbin, 16. Danny Walker, 17. Gil Dudson, 18. Tom Mikaele, 19. Joe Bullock, 20. Connor Wrench, 21. Greg Minikin, 22. Riley Dean, 23. Tom Whitehead, 24. Luke Thomas, 25. Leon Hayes, 26. Adam Holroyd, 27. Aiden Doolan, 28. Jack Darbyshire, 29. Josh Lynch, 30. Jake Thewlis, 31. Jamie Reddecliff, 32. Bobby Schingler, 33. Ellis Longstaff.