The January 19th match is set to be a thrilling and hard-fought contest, giving fans a preview of what to expect in the 2025 rugby league season.
The Wigan Warriors have officially confirmed the date for their eagerly
anticipated pre-season match against Oldham, with head coach Matt Peet
offering his insights into the test that lies ahead for his side. This match
promises to be an exciting start to the Warriors’ preparations for the 2025
Super League season.
Earlier this year, Wigan had already announced their first pre-season fixture,
even before lifting the 2024 Grand Final trophy. The match, against League
One champions Oldham, was confirmed on October 9th, marking the
beginning of their preparations for the upcoming season. The announcement
came shortly after Wigan secured the signing of forward George Hirst, who
joined on a two-year deal with an option to extend. As part of this deal, the
Warriors and Oldham agreed to meet for a pre-season friendly at Boundary
Park.
Now, with the date of the fixture officially set, Wigan will travel to face Oldham
on Sunday, January 19th. This match will serve as the first of two pre-season
friendlies for the Warriors, with the second being a trip to Headingley to take
part in Ash Handley’s testimonial game. Interestingly, this means that the
Super League champions will not play a home match during their pre-season
preparations, with both of their friendly fixtures taking place away from the
DW Stadium.
The encounter with Oldham is particularly intriguing, as it will see Wigan face
off against a number of familiar faces. Oldham’s head coach, Sean Long, who
began his playing career with the Warriors, will lead his side against his
former club. Long is just one of several notable names associated with
Oldham, as the club has made several key signings ahead of the 2025 season.
Among these are former Wigan players Iain Thornley and Gil Dudson, both of
whom will face their old team in this pre-season clash. Alongside them,
Oldham have also added experienced Super League players such as Adam
Milner, Josh Drinkwater, and Matty Ashurst to their ranks.
For Oldham fans, this match represents the first opportunity to see their new
recruits in action, and there is plenty of excitement surrounding the club’s
prospects for the upcoming season. Recently, Sheffield’s new head coach,
Craig Lingard, tipped Oldham as potential dark horses for a Championship
push in 2025, adding further intrigue to this pre-season encounter. It’s a
chance for Oldham to measure themselves against the reigning Super League
champions and assess their readiness for what is expected to be a highly
competitive season.
Matt Peet, speaking about the fixture, expressed his excitement and
highlighted the importance of the match in Wigan’s pre-season preparations.
“We’re looking forward to playing our first pre-season game at a club where
there is great optimism at the moment,” Peet said. “It’ll be a great opportunity
for us to take a team there for a good test and continue our preparations for
the upcoming season.” This pre-season fixture against Oldham will provide
Wigan with a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their squad and assess their
players ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Oldham’s head coach, Sean Long, also spoke about the significance of the
match for his team. “It is a fantastic opportunity for our lads to go up against
the best team around right now and see where we are at too, ahead of a huge
season for the club,” Long commented. For both clubs, this fixture will serve as
a crucial benchmark, offering valuable insights into the strength and readiness
of their respective teams as they prepare for the challenges of the new season.
As the date for the pre-season clash approaches, anticipation is building on
both sides. Wigan Warriors are determined to continue their success after
their dominant 2024 season, while Oldham is eager to show their progress
under the leadership of Sean Long. The match on January 19th promises to be
an exciting and competitive encounter, offering fans a taste of what’s to come
in the 2025 rugby league season.
