'A massive step up' - Wigan Warriors ace reflects on 'proud' England experience despite Ashes disappointment
Wigan Warriors prop Ethan Havard says representing England remains one of the proudest achievements of his career, despite Shaun Wane’s side suffering a 3-0 Ashes whitewash against Australia.
England lost all three Tests against the Kangaroos on home soil – a 26-6 defeat at Wembley, a 14-4 loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium and a 30-8 defeat at AMT Headingley.
Wigan product Havard started the first Test at Wembley but wasn’t selected for the second and third Tests, with the 25-year-old sitting on four caps since making his international debut in 2023.
Despite England falling short in the series, Havard insists the experience of testing himself amongst the elite is one he’ll take great value from.
“It’s a good experience every time I’m with the England boys,” Havard reflected.
"To learn how the professionals do it and be around this group and see the way people train, it’s a massive step up when you come here – it’s very intense and I enjoy it.”
Havard was born in Sofia – the capital of Bulgaria – to English parents, and the family moved back to England when he was a toddler.
The highly-rated front-rower played his junior rugby for Wigan St Patricks and was coached for a period by his father, Kieron, who had a brief professional career with Salford in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Havard came through Wigan’s famed youth ranks and has gone on to become a cornerstone of the Warriors’ forward pack, making more than 100 appearances for his boyhood club.
He is now making his presence felt on the international stage, and his pride in pulling on the England shirt is clear to see.
“It means a lot,” he said. “It’s something you look forward to at the end of every year, it’s something you strive for and work hard for every day.
"It’s just special to represent your King and country – singing the national anthem is always special as well. It’s a great bunch of lads to be part of, so I’m proud to be here.”
Havard’s Wigan teammate Harry Smith was called into Wane’s line-up for the final two Tests against the Kangaroos, who have won the last three World Cups.
“I thought Harry did very well,” Havard said. “He puts the ball on a dime when he kicks it and gives a good platform to people to get after the defensive side of the game. He’s a great man manager and marshals the team around the field, so he’s great to play with.”
The bond between the two is one built over years of development together in Wigan’s youth system, with both players having risen through the ranks from scholarship to academy to first-team level at the Warriors – and now on the international stage with England.
"He was the year above me,” Havard added. “We played against the Aussie Schoolboys together (in 2018) and got one over on them, and that’s something that we talk about every so often. I think they had the likes of Stephen Crichton, Bradman Best and Tommy Dearden playing in that. It’s special (to now be playing alongside Smith for England’s senior team).”
Havard, Smith and Jake Wardle will now enjoy some well-earned downtime before linking up with Wigan in pre-season training later this year.