OLI Leyland is likely to find himself in competition with Leon Hayes for a spot in Warrington Wolves’ starting side in 2025.

However, he insists his primary motivation first and foremost is finding ways in which he can help the homegrown talent – and vice versa.

One of the big decisions facing head coach Sam Burgess ahead of the new season is who partners England captain George Williams in Warrington’s creative hub.

Club captain Stefan Ratchford is an option, but the decision looks set to come down to two English halves in the very infancy of their careers in Hayes and Leyland.

Warringtonian Hayes looked to have made a decisive grab for the number seven shirt during 2024 before suffering a season-ending broken ankle in April.

Josh Drinkwater played alongside Williams for what remained of the season but has now left the club upon the expiry of his contract, with Leyland effectively taking his spot in the squad having joined from London Broncos on a two-year deal.

Leyland has a slight edge in terms of experience but still believes there are things he can learn from Hayes, whom he played against twice during the early stages of the campaign.

“I really liked playing against Leon. He’s such a tough competitor,” he said.

“I always like playing against lads who are a similar stature to me – we’re not the biggest but I like the fact that size doesn’t matter.

“He’s got a really good kicking game and is really solid defensively, so I’m looking forward to working with him.

“I can pick his brains and he can pick mine – I’ve played a few more games than he has so hopefully together, we can progress.

“We’ll obviously both use George to get better, but we can use each other as well.”

Having watched from afar, Leyland got a brief taste of the damage Williams can cause to an opposition while part of the London side that visited The Halliwell Jones Stadium for their final Super League game.

It was a game Warrington won 54-0, with Williams racking up three try assists, and now the new man is looking forward to seeing how he develops while playing alongside the England skipper.

“I only played against him in that last game against Warrington for 40 minutes, and they were in full flow,” he said.

“Him and Matt Dufty were just on a different level and we just couldn’t get near them.

“Playing against him, you can tell he’s got that calmness about him and he’s thinking two plays ahead.

“To be able to play and work alongside a player of George’s calibre is going to be massive for my development.

“I’ll pick his brains, try and improve and get better.”