WARRINGTON Wolves’ training this week was observed by something of a familiar face from the club’s past.

Former Wire forward Mike Forshaw, who is currently the defence coach for Wales’ national rugby union side, was invited into the club during the week to observe how Sam Burgess and his coaching staff operate.

And he admits it brought memories of the one season he spent at the club – a pivotal one in The Wire’s history – flooding back.

Back in 2004, Forshaw, who was at the back end of a career which saw him win multiple trophies with Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors as well as earn Great Britain caps, was approached by then-head coach Paul Cullen to join the club as they moved into The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Having turned out in the first ever game at the ground against Wakefield Trinity, his place in club history is secure – and he even had the distinction of setting up Warrington’s first try in their new home for Nathan Wood.

“I was going to retire in 2003 after winning the Treble with the Bulls, and I was going to join the police but then I got a call off Paul Cullen,” Forshaw said.

“I’ve always been a massive Warrington fan because Mike Gregory was my favourite player as a Wiganer and a loose forward.

“I’d never had the chance to play for them so when I got the opportunity, with them going in the new stadium as well, it was brilliant. That opening night was a really special one.

“They were definitely on the up – they had some great young players like Jon Clarke, Lee Briers and Ben Westwood and they just needed a bit of leadership.

“It was a great time to be playing in Super League at that point. I could see Paul had done a good job and was building a team.

“I was just excited to be playing for another year and being closer to home. I probably had another year in me, but I’d just had enough by then.”

Forshaw’s sole year at the club saw him score six tries in 23 appearances before hanging up his boots and joining the club’s coaching staff as a strength and conditioning coach before moving on to a similar role at hometown club Wigan.

Mike Forshaw had a spell on the Wire coaching staff after retiring from playing in 2004 (Image: Mike Boden)

Then came a move into the 15-man game in 2010, working in the club game as a defence coach for first Connacht in Ireland and then Sale Sharks before joining the Wales staff last year.

That said, he still keeps an eye on the game in which he made his living as a player and based on what he saw while visiting training, he believes The Wire have a great chance of finally lifting their first Super League title next month.

“I still watch Super League when I get chance. I don’t catch them every weekend as I’m very busy with the rugby union,” he said.

“Sam’s done a great job but I always thought he’d be a great presence.

“It’s the first time I’ve been to Warrington since he got here and he’s got a great group of staff with him.

“He spoke really well to the players and he’s got an aura around him, which makes your job a little bit easier.

“He’s a great fit for Warrington and you’ve got to give Simon Moran a lot of credit there for bringing him in as a young coach.

“Gary Chambers is Mr Warrington – I played under 21s with him back in the day. They’ve got great people here and Sam has fitted right in.

“I’d love to see them go to Old Trafford this year – I’ll watch with interest and I think they’ll put themselves in a great spot.

“Clubs like Wigan and Hull KR and others will have something to say about that, so it will be a good end to the season.

“For Simon Moran, who I think is a great person for this sport, it would be great to see them win it and get that off their back.”