James Harrison keen to kick on at Warrington Wolves

Stepping into a new, full-time environment for the first time while still recovering from an ACL injury, his goal was merely to prove himself to his new Warrington Wolves teammates and coaches.

With a new deal in his back pocket and the number eight shirt on his back, it is safe to say he has done a fair job of that but now, the big front-rower aims to show people what he can really do.

Having impressed in the 12 appearances he managed after returning to full fitness, Harrison has signed a two-year extension to his deal at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

> More on James Harrison's new deal can be found here

His new contract runs until the end of the 2025 season and in that time, Harrison is keen to repay the faith head coach Daryl Powell and the club have shown in him.

James Harrison made 12 appearances for Wire in 2022 (Image: Mike Boden)

“I was happy with the way I went last year, but I was nowhere near where I was at Featherstone the year before,” the 26-year-old told the Guardian.

“Last year, it was just getting into the team and I was happy to stay in there once I played.

“It was a really tough team to come into last year with everything that was going on in a difficult season.

“A lot of the lads hadn’t seen me play before having come in injured, so I had to get back fit, get into the team and earn their trust.

“By the end of the season, I feel like I did that.

“I always knew I had a big engine and that’s always worked in my favour, but I surprised myself by staying in the side.

“I feel like I played well, but I’ve still got so much more to give.

“After a big pre-season, you’ll see some much better performances from me.”

Harrison in pre-season training under the watchful eye of head coach Daryl Powell (Image: Warrington Wolves)

With signings such as Paul Vaughan, Josh McGuire, Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson coming in for 2023, The Wire’s middle unit has been completely overhauled.

As such, competition for places will no doubt be intense but if his new squad number is anything to go by, Powell clearly expects Harrison to be at the very heart of things.

He knows as well as anybody, though, that such a position is earned and not given.,

> COMMENT: The latest indication of Wire and Powell's belief in James Harrison

“It was a big surprise,” he said.

“I went in to see Karl Fitzpatrick during the off-season, he hinted I might be getting the number eight shirt and I was really shocked.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all, especially with some of the senior players we’ve brought in.

“That said, I know it doesn’t mean a starting spot.

“I’ve still got to train hard and earn it especially with the depth we’ve got, but I’m looking forward to having that number on my back.

“There’s a really good vibe around the place in general but as a middle unit, we’re doing a lot together.

“It’s a really big pack we have and the wrestle sessions have been getting quite tasty and intense.

“The senior guys in there – players like Josh McGuire and Paul Vaughan were playing internationals a couple of years ago and it’s good for me to learn from them.

“When I was coming back from injury last year, I heard rumours about these guys maybe signing and I was thinking to myself ‘I’m not going to get a game here!’

“Powelly’s shown a lot of faith in me and it’s going really well so far.”

The new signings are not the only thing that has changed for The Wire, with pre-season now nearly a month old.

The coaching staff has been reshuffled, with Richard Marshall promoted into a first-team assistant role having spent 2022 as the club’s academy head coach.

Off the training field, too, improvements have been made to the facilities around the club’s Padgate base and Harrison has hailed the impact of both.

“There’s so much positivity – the lads have had 12 months with Powelly now and we know how he works,” he said.

“I think Richard Marshall coming in has been really good as the defence sessions have been really intense.

“That’s what we needed – we defended so poorly last year but I think the fans should see some big improvements.

“It’s a big goal of ours to be one of the best defensive teams in the comp.

“Even little things like having the new team room has helped massively.

“Sometimes before you’d all go your separate ways after training but now, we can chill in there, bond over games of pool and darts. It does make a big difference.”