Warriors trio sign new deals

Liam Farrell has signed a new five-year deal with Wigan '“ as Joel Tomkins and Taulima Tautai also pledged their futures to the club.

In a major boost for the Warriors, the three forwards have agreed contract extensions which, incredibly, was first revealed on Twitter by boxing legend Evander Holyfield.

Tautai and Tomkins were both out of contract at the end of this season..

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wigan had an option on Farrell for 2018, but have now tied the England forward down until the end of 2022.

Having made his debut in 2010, Farrell, 26, has won eight major trophies with Wigan including the 2016 Super League Grand Final when he was named Harry Sunderland winner for his man of the match performance.

Prop Tautai, who joined Wigan in 2015 from Wakefield, has signed a new three-yer deal while 30-year-old Tomkins has agreed to stay until at least the end of the 2019, with the option of an extra year, in the club’s favour.

Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan said: “It is important, not only on the field but off it as well, that we secure the future of our key players and Liam, Joel and Taulima are three of those.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Liam is the ultimate professional who lives his life in such a way that we are confident in handing him this long-term contract. Already one of the leading back-row forwards in the English game, we believe that he can and will continue to improve at Wigan.

“Joel has had to learn to adapt his game in recent years but similarly to Liam, he is a fine professional and we had no hesitation in offering him a new deal. He understands what the Wigan club is about and drives standards on a daily basis.

“The Wigan fans have seen Taulima develop into one of the best prop forwards in the competition over the last two and a half years. By his own admission, his first season with the club was difficult at times but his determined attitude has seen him become one of the cornerstones of the Wigan forward pack.

“We need leaders in the team and around the club to help support the younger players and all three players have shown great leadership qualities throughout their time at Wigan. They have also shown just how important the Wigan Club is to them and we are delighted that they have all re-signed.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The announcement came a day before Wigan’s Magic Weekend showdown with Warrington, and in the same week as young wingers Liam Marshall and Tom Davies were handed new three-year deals.

Tomkins revealed: “Within this contract there’s also a development plan for after my rugby career whereby I’ll work with Ian Lenagan and Kris Radlinski to work out where I can fit into the organisation when I finish playing.”

It is thought captain Sean O’Loughlin is the only first-team player who is not under contract for next year.

When the 34-year-old signed his last deal, it included a move onto Wigan’s coaching staff when he hangs up his boots.

But the England skipper has previously said he would like to play on in 2018.

Related topics: