WITH rugby league no longer a game where numbers 1-13 play exclusively, squad numbers are not quite as significant as they once were.
What they can sometimes do, however, is give an indication into a coach’s thinking ahead of the new campaign.
As such, there is plenty to ponder about the Warrington Wolves squad numbers for 2023, released this morning.
> Click here to view Wire’s full list of squad numbers for 2023
Here are a few key talking points raised by the announcement…
No new centre incoming?
Toby King’s departure on loan to Wigan Warriors, where he has been joined by Jake Wardle – the man who replaced him at The Halliwell Jones Stadium for the back end of 2022 – and Connor Wrench’s injury means centre was a recruitment priority for The Wire.
Daryl Powell made as much clear in his end-of-season interview with the club – but have those efforts hit somewhat of a brick wall?
Stefan Ratchford’s move to number four could suggest Powell will go into 2023 with what he has, although there is still time for that to change.
Greg Minikin is also an option at centre, as are promising but untried youngsters Jack Darbyshire and Jake Thewlis while Wrench is not due to return from an ACL injury until May at the earliest.
Josh Thewlis’ move to number two also hints at him being first-choice winger for the year alongside Matty Ashton, with Minikin and Josh Lynch as alternatives.
The way is left clear for Drinkwater
Another thing that jumps out is the number seven shirt being left vacant, with 2022 incumbent George Williams moving back to number six.
The club release said the shirt was vacant “for now,” meaning a new addition appears to be imminent as expected.
Said new addition looks set to be Catalans Dragons scrum-half Josh Drinkwater, whose signing Wire are believed to be closing in on.
If he joins as anticipated, he will surely take on the seven shirt and complete the top 13 numbers.
A big show of faith in Harrison
Given the front-row overhaul that has happened for 2023, many may have expected the new boys to be given the eight and 10 shirts.
That is the case for Paul Vaughan who will wear 10, but the other prop’s shirt goes to a man who made a big impression in the second half of 2022 in James Harrison.
Powell spoke glowingly of the former Leeds and Featherstone man throughout last year having made his return from an ACL injury in June.
A dangerous ball-carrier who is solid in defence and has an impressive engine, he has been rewarded for his efforts.
Joe Philbin, who wore the number eight last year before his campaign was ended early by his own serious knee injury, moves to 15, new additions Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson take 14 and 17 respectively while Tom Mikaele (18), Joe Bullock (19) and Luke Thomas (24) complete the senior prop stocks.
Longstaff on his way out?
With regular second-rowers Ben Currie and Oliver Holmes coming in for criticism from some sections of the Wire support base in 2022, many thought academy graduate Ellis Longstaff may have got more of a chance.
However, he found himself sent out on loan to Hull FC where his impact was significant, scoring six tries in 10 appearances for the Black and Whites.
With Holmes having moved on to join Leigh Leopards, many wondered if Longstaff would be given more of a chance but the squad number 33 suggests Powell is looking at moving him on, be that on loan or permanently.
The England Knights international is out of contract at The Halliwell Jones Stadium at the end of 2023, so have we seen the last of him in the primrose and blue.
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