Warrington Wolves chief executive gives recruitment update

A move to bring the scrum-half in from Catalans Dragons is said to be nearing completion, with the number seven shirt left vacant when squad numbers were announced last week.

Head coach Daryl Powell was also known to be targeting a centre to add to his squad, with Toby King sent out on loan to Wigan Warriors while Connor Wrench is not due to return from an ACL injury until May.

Efforts were made to keep Huddersfield’s Jake Wardle, who finished 2022 on loan at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, at the club but chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick says the sacrifices needed to keep him were not viable.

Jake Wardle in action for Warrington Wolves during 2022 (Image: SWPix.com)

Stefan Ratchford looks set to start the campaign in the centres having been given the number four shirt but Fitzpatrick says salary cap space remains available should they decide to go down a different route.

“We would have loved to have kept Jake – we were in constant dialogue with Huddersfield but we just couldn’t make it work,” Fitzpatrick told the Guardian.

“With the players they were asking for in return, it just didn’t make sense to swap them for Jake.

“Stefan will be given an opportunity at centre – he’s won a Challenge Cup there and has played internationally there.

“He’ll get the chance to make that shirt his own and I think he’s earned the right to do that.

“He’s a great defensive player with fantastic skills, but we do have salary cap space left for that position or any others if things don’t work out.”

Stefan Ratchford looks set to start 2023 at centre (Image: Mike Boden)

Four new players – all of them forwards – have been confirmed as new additions 2023 with Paul Vaughan, Josh McGuire, Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson set to join the squad for pre-season training over the next fortnight.

Drinkwater looks set to take that number to five if and when his anticipated move is completed and while Fitzpatrick did not refer to the Australian by name, he identified the type of player they were looking for to partner George Williams in the halves.

“George is coming off an outstanding World Cup – for me, he’s been England’s best player,” he said.

“He was given the captain’s armband for the Greece game and I can see him really growing into being a leader for us.

“If we can secure a seven to go alongside him and free him up, it’s exciting to see if he can continue his impressive form.

“I thought George was outstanding last year behind a pack that often struggled to make yards.

“The seven we want to compliment George is an organising seven to get us round the park and kick the ball well – a functional seven.

“That’s the kind of player we need – they are hard to come by but hopefully we’ll have some positive news on that.”

Pre-season training begins on Monday with the new signings expected to join the group the following week.

Williams – Warrington’s only player currently competing at the Rugby League World Cup – is not expected back in training until after Christmas.

Fitzpatrick declared himself pleased with the work done in the recruitment market thus far, with the likes of Matt Dufty, Tom Mikaele and Matty Nicholson joining midway through 2022 with a view to the longer term.

"Looking at the bigger picture and the recruitment we’ve done, we’ve probably been the most active club in Super League in terms of who we’ve brought in and let go," he said.

"We spoke last year about the pack not being big and aggressive enough, but we’ve gone from being the smallest pack in Super League to being one of the biggest and hopefully one of the most aggressive.

"In terms of player recruitment, there’s a great story there in terms of the quality coming in.

"Paul Vaughan was incredible in a struggling team last year at Canterbury and was in the NRL top five for post-contact metres.

New signing for 2023 Paul Vaughan (Image: Warrington Wolves)

"Josh McGuire will bring grit and toughness which is what fans want to see – we’ve probably not had a character like him since Bennie Westwood was playing so we’re excited about what he’s going to bring.

"Sam Kasiano was unplayable at times for Catalans and Gil Dudson will bring a bit more nastiness.

"I think we’ve got it right with the players coming in, sprinkled among players with electric pace – I think Matt Dufty having a sample of Super League will benefit us.

"We’ve got a cohort of quality young players coming through – in what was a very disappointing year, the shining light was some of those kids that stepped up in a team that was struggling.

"Promoting eight kids from our academy is really exciting."