WIGAN Warriors head coach Matty Peet has launched an extraordinary dig at Warrington Wolves’ academy following The Wire’s signing of Matty Nicholson.

It was confirmed today that the 18-year-old loose forward has moved to The Halliwell Jones Stadium on a three-and-a-half year deal.

> The full story of Matty Nicholson's move to Warrington Wolves can be found here

In giving his reaction at Wigan’s weekly press conference, Peet says working at the Warrington academy must be “demoralising” after the club poached another Wigan-produced youngster.

He cited a number of examples including Ellis Longstaff, who spent time in the Warriors’ youth system before moving across to Warrington.

Peet says Nicholson’s decision left him “scratching his head” and affirmed Wigan did “a hell of a lot” to try and dissuade the former Siddal junior from leaving.

“What I will say is it is another tick for our academy and producing players,” he said.

“On the flip side, I think it would be demoralising to work in Warrington’s academy.

“I read about the strength of their academy and yet they continually pay for our players. Ellis Longstaff, Sam Storey, Dean Beddall and now Matty Nicholson.

“He would have developed into a first-team player here and he should develop into a first-team player there, but I think it proves our academy is superior to theirs.

Warrington Guardian:

Matty Nicholson. Picture by Warrington Wolves

“I’m really disappointed. He’s a good player with massive potential.

“He’s a good lad, a good person, but I’m left disappointed and scratching my head at his decision.

“If there’s anything that we’ve proved that we do here, it is giving young players a chance and developing young talent.

“He didn’t see it playing out that way. He thinks it’s a simpler path to playing first team at Warrington and we shall see.

“When it came to time to talk about his contract, he mentioned playing in the first team.

“I reminded him that he was only 18 and his goal should be making his debut, which he’s done. There’s a pathway here for him to have played many more games for this club.

“Us, St Helens and Leeds stand apart in giving young players a chance and that was always the intention with Matthew.

“It’s his decision and I don’t want to say too much, but we have done a hell of a lot to convince him to stay. I would have liked to have seen him stay with us for a few more years yet.”