HUNDREDS of Warrington Wolves supporters are about to descend on the south of France to watch their side kick off the new campaign.
And winger Matty Ashton says the numbers that travel at great expense to cheer them on makes away games against Catalans Dragons a particular target for victory.
They did so in both of their trips to the Stade Gilbert Brutus last year – the Super League victory in April was arguably the high point of their season while they repeated the trick in the Challenge Cup sixth round the following month.
Ashton was the hero in the second of those games, scoring two tries including a last-gasp winner as The Wire won 16-12.
And while games in Perpignan are always taxing no matter the strength of the Catalans side, they are always ones he relishes.
“It's definitely up there among the toughest games, but I’m really excited for it,” the 25-year-old said.
“I always enjoy going over there – they are always tough ones to be a part of but I feel like that’s what we need first up.
“We’ll be going there looking for two points no matter what. We’re having a few days out there so no excuses.
“The special thing about playing out there is the fans who travel over, and paying a lot of money to do so.
“Obviously, there’s a bit of a financial crisis going on at the minute so when you see fans spending money on flights and hotels to come and watch you play, it makes you really want to do it for them as well as each other.”
For Ashton himself, he will be looking to at least emulate or even better a season that saw him hit his high water mark as a Wire player.
For the third time in his four seasons at the club, he finished as the team’s leading try-scorer and became the first Wire player to score 20 tries in a season since both Josh Charnley and Tom Lineham did so in 2018.
That kind of form earned him the club’s Ken Kelly Player of the Year prize and a call-up to Shaun Wane’s England side, and he took his chance on the international stage by scoring three tries in two games against Tonga in the autumn.
Now he has had a taste of that arena, Ashton is keen for more but knows what he must do in order to keep himself in Wane’s thoughts.
“England is always at the back of your mind,” he said.
“There is a lot of competition on the wing so I probably surprised myself getting those two games at the end of the year, but I thought I showed what I was capable of.
“I’ve still got a lot to work on, though, and I need to keep performing for Warrington first.
“Bringing success back to my club is what I’m striving for first and foremost. We want to show the fans and the town that they have a team to be proud of.
“I don’t really set targets in terms of numbers, but I do want to be up there as one of the top scorers in the league and at the club.
“As a winger, that’s what you’re there for but it’s up to the team to put you in positions to score.
“I’ll keep challenging myself to get on the scoresheet every week – I’m always disappointed if I don’t.”
Helping him to achieve those personal goals this year will be a new(ish) centre partner.
The returning Toby King looks set to line up on Ashton’s inside this year after 18 months out on loan – a spell which saw him earn a Grand Final winner’s ring as part of Wigan Warriors’ champion side of 2023.
Their partnership could well be a fruitful one and the speedster is keen to experience what King did at Old Trafford.
“Toby’s been there and done it now – he’s won a Grand Final and he’s come back in really great spirits,” he said.
“I knew Toby very well anyway – he’s an exceptional player so hopefully he can put me in for a few this year.
“He’s had a whirlwind 18 months being out on loan, but he was unreal for Wigan last year.
“He’s come back with a Grand Final ring and that’s what we all want. I’ve heard the stories of what it’s like now and I really want to experience it.
“I’m really happy for him that he’s done that and hopefully he can help us do it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here