As Peet highlighted, the match presents a crucial opportunity to spot the next wave of Warriors talent, and supporters will be eager to see which players rise to the occasion and establish themselves.
Wigan Warriors have officially confirmed the squad for their first pre-season
game of 2025, where they will take on Championship side Oldham this
weekend. Head coach Matt Peet has already teased a mix of established
players and emerging talents, promising fans an exciting glimpse at the future
of the club.
The squad named for the match includes a number of high-profile players,
many of whom were integral parts of the squad last season. Peet had
previously stated that the forward pack would feature a wealth of experience,
and he has delivered on that promise. Key forwards such as Liam Byrne,
Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, and Sam Walters are all set to
feature in the match. These seasoned players will provide a strong foundation,
setting the tone for the encounter against Oldham.
However, it’s the backs that Peet is particularly eager to showcase, as many of
them have had limited first-team opportunities in recent years. While some
may not be as well-known to the Warriors faithful yet, Peet has hinted that this
match could mark the start of their rise to prominence within the club.
Drawing a comparison to Junior Nsemba, who has risen to stardom with his
Super League Dream Team inclusion and England representation, Peet
expressed hope that some of these younger players could follow in Nsemba’s
footsteps and develop into key players for Wigan.
Among the players that will likely attract attention are Zach Eckersley, Tom
Forber, and Jack Farrimond, all of whom earned significant game time in
2024. Eckersley, in particular, will be one to watch, having scored in the
Challenge Cup Final last year. These three players are expected to play
prominent roles in the match, as they continue to build on their first-team
experience and develop further in the Wigan setup.
In addition to the familiar names, the squad also features some emerging
talents, including Sam Eseh Jr, Harvey Makin, and Tiaki Chan. These players
have already had their moments in the first team but will look to seize every
opportunity in this pre-season fixture to impress the coaching staff ahead of
the new season.
Another exciting inclusion in the squad is George Hirst, a recent signing from
Oldham. Hirst is set to make his debut for Wigan in the upcoming match,
though it’s worth noting that he will likely return to Oldham on loan for the
upcoming season. Nevertheless, fans will be eager to see what Hirst brings to
the team, as the club looks to further strengthen their squad.
Lukas Mason, the son of former Super League star Keith Mason, is also named
in the squad and will be aiming to make his mark. The youngster’s inclusion is
another example of Wigan’s strong commitment to bringing through talent
from their academy system, and he could well be one to watch as he looks to
follow in his father’s footsteps.
The full squad named for the match against Oldham is as follows:
- Liam Byrne
- Kruise Leeming
- Tyler Dupree
- Harvie Hill
- Sam Walters
- Zach Eckersley
- Tom Forber
- Jack Farrimond
- Sam Eseh Jr
- Jacob Douglas
- Harvey Makin
- Tiaki Chan
- Taylor Kerr
- Nathan Lowe
- Lukas Mason
- Noah Hodgkinson
- Kian McDermott
- George Hirst
- Josh Cartwright
- Finlay Yeomans
- Austin Daniel
With a blend of experienced forwards, young stars, and fresh signings, Wigan’s
pre-season clash with Oldham promises to be an exciting and informative
fixture. It offers a valuable opportunity for both established players and
emerging talents to make an impression as they prepare for the new season. As
Peet has emphasized, the match could prove pivotal in identifying the next
generation of Warriors players, and fans will be keen to see which players step
up and make a name for themselves.
