Powell ready to unleash McGuire

The Wolves have made the perfect start to the 2023 Betfred Super League season. Daryl Powell's Warrington side look worlds apart from the team that finished in eleventh place last year after wholesale changes to his playing roster in a bid to rectify a nightmare first year in charge. 

Powell has brought in several experienced campaigners who have steadied the ship at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. However, one addition that is yet to play his part in Warrington's unbeaten run is former Queensland and Australia forward Josh McGuire. 

McGuire picked up a seven-game suspension following the Wolves' pre-season clash with Leigh Leopards, forcing him to sit out his sides opening seven games.

With his suspension now completed, Daryl Powell is preparing to unleash McGuire for the first time in Super League during Warrington's top of the table clash against Catalans Dragons in Rivals Round on Saturday Night. 

There's nothing like a top-of-the-table clash ?@DragonsOfficiel v @WarringtonRLFC Saturday, live on @SkySportsRL Arena, 5pm (UK) KO ?#SLCatWar pic.twitter.com/awCqq2afFx
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 5, 2023

"It's been a while hasn't it," admitted Powell. 

"He'll be excited. You're talking about keeping a lid on emotion, he's been busting a gut to play. I think that will be the most important thing for him, to just let his rugby do the talking. 

"He's a quality player, he's got so much going for him. He's a rugby nerd, he absolutely loves the game and he just wants to get out there. I'm excited to see him play - he doesn't have to do everything in the first ten minutes would be my message to him."

Warrington have been flawless in 2023. They have found the perfect balance between power through the middle and skill and pace across their back line. And Powell is excited to welcome McGuire into his squad, insisting that the veteran forward will add an extra dimension to his side. 

"He's a ball playing middle and a leg speed, line speed middle, so he'll bring some things defensively that we've been pretty good at, but maybe could be a bit better at. And then his work with the ball will add a little bit. 

"We've had to mix it up a bit [in McGuire's absence], I've put Sam Kasiano out there to start at times then Daryl Clark has played a little bit of 13, but of course we lost both of those guys last week so we've been trying to find a way of playing in slightly different ways. 

.@WarringtonRLFC go the length of the field ??#SLWarHFC pic.twitter.com/H25G6N2GQr
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 1, 2023

"He'll bring that connection between the halves and middles and he's shown he can do an outstanding job in that regard. He'll bring a fair bit to us and I just want to get him out there and enjoying his rugby league again. 

"He'll be playing in some pretty big games over the next three weeks which we're all excited by."

The Wolves head into a pivotal period of their season this weekend. Their top of the table clash with the Dragons is the first of three season-defining fixtures. An unblemished start to 2023 will be tested now more than ever, with a home tie against Wigan and a trip to the Champions all to come over the next three weeks. 

It presents a huge challenge for Daryl Powell's side but one he insists the team are more than ready for.

"Obviously it's a little bit different going over to France. You've got the travel element, but we feel like we've got that boxed off. We're just looking forward to the challenge. It's the start of three pivotal games for us against these guys [Catalans], Wigan and Saints on shortish turnarounds on the back of that, but we're looking forward to it. 

"We feel like we're ready to step up now. We feel like we haven't quite been as ruthless as we need to be and we know that we'll have to be outstanding over the next three weeks."

All six Rivals Round fixtures, as well as the Betfred Women's Super League season opener, will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports this Easter. Tune in from Thursday 6 April and get your rugby league fix this Easter.