ARE Warrington Wolves and their immediate Super League rivals already playing for second spot?

Given Wigan Warriors’ imperious-looking position at the top of the table, that already looks likely – but it would leave Sam Burgess somewhat unsatisfied.

The Wire are currently in possession of an all-important top-two spot, which would see them sit out the eliminator round of the play-offs and enjoy home advantage in the semi-finals.

However, that is looking increasingly like the best they or anyone else can do, with Wigan four points ahead of them with a game in hand.

The next few weeks will be key in Warrington’s attempts to hang onto their spot given they face all of the sides immediately around them, starting with a trip to St Helens on Friday.

They then travel to Wigan next week before hosting Hull KR on August 2.

So heading into this crucial run of fixtures, is Burgess happy with where his side are sat?

“Not really – who’s happy being second?” he said.

“I’m happy with the team and how we’re progressing as this was never going to be an overnight thing. I stay really focused on where I think we can go but I also know we had a lot to change.

“The club’s got a big history and it was going to take me some time, but I’m really happy with the team and our progress.

“We’ve displayed a style of rugby that the town can be proud of and that the fans can get behind.

“There’s certainly no lack of effort in all of our games and that was what I wanted to bring – that effort and commitment to each other.

“We’re doing that, now we’ve just got to tidy up a few areas.

“There’s no point looking at Wigan or Hull KR as we’ve got Saints in front of us. It’s really important to stay on task as it’s such a long year.”

Burgess and his charges have rebuilt their form and momentum having wobbled during and after the Challenge Cup Final, with three consecutive victories either side of the international break.

Now, that will be put to the test when they travel to a Saints side for whom the opposite is true – a run of three straight defeats has dropped Paul Wellens’ side off the pace.

Warrington have not beaten their neighbours in a Super League match since June 2021 – a run stretching back seven matches – but their 31-8 Challenge Cup victory at the Totally Wicked Stadium in April remains fresh in their minds.

“You have to move on from games quickly – it’s the same when you lose as well,” Burgess said when asked if there was anything they could take from that memorable victory.

“We take lessons out of everything and move forward and it will be the same for them – they will have moved on from that game.

“It’s our first time meeting them in the league and there’s a bit to play for.

“Facing St Helens at St Helens is a tough task. For however many decades, it’s been a tough place to go but we’re excited for that.

“We embrace the challenges the year throws at us and this is another one. The results haven’t been going their way but they’ve been in tight games.

“We’ve been building our game since the start. We’ve not been at our best of late, but we’ve got a couple of wins which is nice.

“We’re in that sort of phase where we’re getting our game back on track, but there’s still a long way to go in the season. We’re pretty aware of getting our timing right.

“We’re still fine-tuning a couple of things that we can nail down, but we’ll look for an improved performance again this week.

“We’ll certainly need it, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we turn up.”